No comments about Bruce Lee: Dragon Immortal.

No comments about Return of Red Tiger.

2 comments about Matayoshi Shinpo s Traditional Okinawan Kobudo.

1. This DVD is a must for every martial artist interested in okinawan kobudo. It presents an impressive series of kata and kumite from the celebrated Matayoshi-ryu featuring the actual late "soke" Matayoshi Shinpo (just before his unfortunate demise) and his most talented pupils. The material presented gives a quite extended overview of the "ryu" covering even the most exotic unusual weapons such as the "kuwa", the "nunti", "san-setsu-kon" and the "timbe".
   This "ryu" is a okinawan familiar tradition with some unique kata. Some of the other mainstream kata are performed slightly differently from the okinawan "standard". This DVD allows to evaluate some of those features. However, there is always the risk of some homemade "sensei" learning from this DVD, borrowing techniques to cheat others!
   
   Negative note: A DVD menu indexing every kata and technique would have bee easy to implement, enhancing enormously the usefulness of this DVD. For this only I don't give 5 stars.



2. The kata work on this DVD is exceptional. Be warned, however, that if you are looking for a basic 'how to' or 'step by step' guide on kobuto, this is not the best tool. That is the only reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 [so novices would know its value may be limited for them since it is advanced in technique and form].
   
   I have been studing kobudo for over a dozen years and at times I have a hard time picking up the nuance of the movement on this DVD. That said, I use this as a reference weekly. I first purchased it on video and wore it out. I'm glad to have in on DVD now. The katas are done quickly so individual movement can sometimes be difficult to discern. I am lucky enough to have an excellent teacher [Sensei] for instruction and I use this as a reference manual, of sorts, when I forget a move or simply need to check my form. It is an exceptional resourse for that purpose.
   
   Highly recommended for all -- those who already know some basic kobudo will get even more out of it.
   
   Thank you.

2 comments about Hood Angels.

1. I LOVE A MOVIE WITH SUSPENSE!
   I LIKE THE ENDING!
   JUVENILE DID GOOD, TO ME!
   I REALLY ENJOYED IT!
   I LIKE THE MOVIE!



2. "Hood Angels" is the kind of movie you can only fully appreciate when you are with at least three other people, and you all are completely and totally trashed. A poor script, bad actors, and horrible editing create a piece of art that, if not totally intoxicated, would make you want to gouge your eyes out.
   
   Rated two stars for the fantastically quotable lines.
   "Whatchu in here for, hookin'?"

No comments about The Furious.

5 comments about Kickboxer.

1. This has always been a favorite movie of mine. I was disappointed that I had picked a movie that was the wrong region. I put it in one DVD and it came up wrong region. Then I put it in another DVD player and beauty away it went. The picture quality was exellent. Like I said before one of my favourite Van Damme movies and there where no hic ups with the recording.
   Thanks Amazon you came through for me again when I couldn't find it in the shops here in Australia.Kickboxer



2. Excellent martial arts movies a bit corney but my girlfriend loved van damme body. guess i got my work cut out for me.



3. On the heels of Bloodsport and the weird sci-fi flick Cyborg came Kickboxer. Here, Jean Claude Van Damne plays Kurt Sloane, the manager and younger brother of kickboxing champion Eric Sloane (played by real-life fighter Dennis Alexio).
   
   While fighting a Thai fighter named Tong Po, Eric gets injured and Kurt vows revenge on him. To this end, he meets a former fighter named Xian Chow and falls in love with his niece Miley.
   
   While much of the film is corny/cheesy but there are some funny parts too. The most funny (to me) is when Xian gets Kurt (Van Damne) drunk in a bar, has him dance (which is one of the funniest things that I have ever seen) and then fight some guys in that bar! Its priceless!
   
   Also, some of the training made me cringe, especially when he made him kick the tree with his injured shin! My friends thought when he did get the tree down and fell to the ground, that was the funniest thing! Even I chuckled a bit because basically he was trying to show Xian he wasn't weak! That's what "machismo" will get you!
   
   Overall, not a bad film!



4. The Jean Claude Van Damme Review Matrix (JCVD-RM)
   
   1.Who is he? Kurt Sloane, hapless corner man for his brother Eric Sloan, hapless kickboxer
   2.Which family member/friend must be avenged? His brother gets pummeled into a paraplegic, and his new girlfriend gets raped...both by the same guy
   3.Does he take his shirt off? He's topless throughout nearly the entire movie.
   4.Does he have sex with a C-List actress? I'm not even sure if she's C-List, and I'm not totally sure JCVD got past first-base
   5.Is there a tournament? Yes, but JCVD makes it straight into the championship match.
   6.Is training needed for this tournament? Training constitutes the majority of this movie. He kicks a defenseless bamboo tree to somehow strengthen (and not fracture) his leg, and does calisthenics with a backdrop of historic ruins, screaming eagles, and warrior spirits. The majority of the training, however, well...
   7.Does he do the splits in training or in the tournament? Not only does he do the splits, but he's involved in some sort of sadomasochistic, palm tree pulley system of groin torture that goes beyond actual splits. Such an important concept to this movie, I think "The Splits" is listed as a co-star on the official DVD.
   8.Does he punch someone in the balls? No, but his heel goes Achilles tendon deep into Tong Po's colon - that's enough.
   9.Does he do a series of flying or 360 kicks? Only at every possible opportunity.
   10.Is his enemy unbeatable? Tong Po is not only unbeatable, but his shin bones have been surgically replaced with iron rods.
   11.Does he overcome an injury or other hindrance? Yes, his brother is held hostage by Tong Po's people, and Kurt is told to enter the fight without defending himself. On top of that, he learns mid-fight from Tong Po raped his girl.
   12.Does he win? Through sheer willpower, and the most telegraphed collection of blows in fighting history, he somehow prevails.
   
   This is the funniest of all JCVD movies. The stretching torture, the underwater kicking scene during training, the German Sheppard, the hokey choreography, the pointless jive-talking black guy, the absolutely hysterical lack of defense from Tong Po during the final battle, laughable acting, and a genius dancing scene reminiscent of his appearance in Breakin' all make for a gem. If you like JCVD, cheesy martial arts movies, or a good night of MST3K, pick this one up for an entertaining night.



5. Kickboxer figures as one of the most exciting and legendary martial films of a very young by then Van Damme.
   
   His elder brother travel to Thailand for defending the title, being the Western champion in this category. But what both ignore is what the will find in that arena. His brother will have to face a sadistic and ruthless fighter who will play dirty, leaving him crippled.
   
   This dramatic fact will make Van Damme encourages and trains with all the rigorousness and maxim discipline with a curious old master, an exotic and sympathetic shaman who will prepare him with wise lessons of life too.
   
   The arresting landscapes of Thailand conform an additional frame of reference, although the predictability of the script. Because the fact twenty years have elapsed it's time to set this entertained and dynamic film in its right place and bringing it back its status cult. It deserves it.
   
   Don't miss it!.

5 comments about Best of the Best 2.

1. I liked too much this movie. I compare this movie and I say that is much better than the first one. The scenes where Tommy Lee (Philip Rhee) excuted Hapkido techniques to the thugs is awesome. In the other hand, I didn't like the performance of Eric Roberts. It seems that he excuted the same techniques from the first one of the series(Best of the Best 1). The movie has a great plot story and the final scene where Tommy fought the big guy "Bracus" has too much to tell. In general..I give 5 stars to the DVD. I recommended to those who never had the chance to see it on DVD.



2. The problem is that part 1 is one of my top 20 or 30 favorite movies of all time and it had a story that felt very real. Part 2 doesn't even try to act like it takes place in the real world. The story is good, but gets interrupted by too much overacting by the villains and the main henchman. Luckily, there is plenty of action. The story is about underground cage fighting with no rules and the fights in the ring at the end are fantastic. While the fights are completely stupid, Phillip Rhee is definitely one of the better martial arts actors to ever hit the movie screen. There are also plenty of fights outside of the ring. Phillip Rhee gets to show off all his moves. Even a guy like Steven Seagal looks like a joke compared to Rhee in arm locking and throwing skills. And his Taekwondo kicks are perfect in technique. I actually think part 4 is better than this, but its not a total loss. My favorite part of the movie is that Phillip Rhee's real life brother Simon Rhee is back as Dae Han. Part 1 has an unbelievably amazing ending, and it was nice to see Dae Han on the side of good after what happened at the end of part 1. The tears always start to well up when I think about part 1, so it was nice to have a smile on my face when Dae Han is on the screen this time around. There is one scene where he kicks a guy so hard it made me scream out insanely with laughter. It is mainly the stuntman's acting that sells it, but Simon Rhee's kicks are amazing. He also has one other eye popping kick. Simon Rhee is a little flashier than his brother, but just as good in technique if not better. Both of these guys are truly on another level.
   
   3/5
   
   The picture and sound is remastered to perfection.
   
   While the movie is not memorable, the new DVD from Fox has some great special features. There is a 10 minute making of which is a look back at the movie with interviews from Phillip Rhee, Wayne Newton and others. There is also a magnificent audio commentary with Phillip Rhee and director Robert Radler. The last special feature is a 6 minute promotional featurette from 1993. Although not overloaded with special features, this is one of the better special edition DVDs I have seen in recent years. Commentaries on martial arts movies are very rare, so they are always greedily accepted by me.



3. It's sad that it took so long for one of the all-time best American martial arts movies to be released on DVD, but here it is, in all it's glory.
   
   Picking up several years after BEST OF THE BEST left off, BEST OF THE BEST 2 begins with Alex (Eric Roberts) Tommy Lee (Phillip Rhee), and Travis (the late Chris Penn) running a Tae Kwon Do/Hapkido school in Las Vegas. Travis has been competing in The Coliseum, and illegal kickboxing circuit in the city owned by the fearsome, appropriately named Brackus (Former Mr. Universe Ralph Moeller). After winning the tournament, Travis earns the right to challenge Brackus, with the winner taking ownership of the Coliseum, but Travis badly underestimates Brackus and is killed in the match. Alex's son Walter (Edan Gross) witnesses the murder, and Alex and Tommy confront Brackus. Brackus orders Alex and Wlter killed, but Tommy has cut Brackus' face, wounding his pride, so Brackus wants Tommy alive. Meanwhile, Tommy, Alex, and Walter take refuge with Tommy's "Grandma" (Betty Carvalho), where they prepare to take on Brackus under the tutelage of James (Sonny Landham), who had previously fought Brackus.
   
   Phillip Rhee is definitely the star of the film. Holding a 6th Dan in Tae Kwon Do, a 3rd dan in Hapkido, and a 1st dan in Kendo, as well as being an expert in Wing Chun and boxing, he is a one man wrecking crew. When Tommy is captured by Brackus, he first forced to fight three preliminary matches, and this is truly a sight to behold, but the lenghty, climactic David vs. Goliath duel between Tommy and Brackus is one for the books.
   
   BEST OF THE BEST 2 may not have won any Oscars, but it is never the less, an undying classic of martial arts cinema.



4. Berst of the best 2 is a great martial arts cult flick. not great acting but who needs it when all you want to see are some great martial artists doing what they do best.



5. After experiencing the lingering afterglow of a romance-fueled orgasm (in BotB1), it's funny how porn suddenly becomes a total turn-off. That's how this second in the quadrology made me feel.
   Unless someone can enjoy a technique (Rhee) vs. unskilled muscle (Moeller), I suppose.
   
   Unlike some movie franchises which was from the beginning centered on a personal character (Rocky, Batman, Vampires...), BotB1 is about training camp, team-building, athlete's mix of emotions (fear-ego-vengeful), major inter-cultural sports event, highly-skilled 'DaeHan'-like antagonist (rather than about Alex Grady or Tommy Lee).
   Now BotB2 is like a Jurassic Park 'sequel' about the painful divorce of Dr. Allan Grant and his subsequent alcoholic behaviors in spite of Malcolm and other JP characters are there to support him emotionally, and his encounter with a new love in his rehabilitation program and they both blaah, blaah, bla...
   I mean, where is the dinosaur?

2 comments about Ironheart.

1. The Beginning Part of the Movie Is Going To Make you Laugh Your Ass OFF! First Movie with Bolo Yeung To Use a Gun!



2. Bolo Yeung is about the only thing that makes this movie even worth checking out. This is not one of his better outings, but he does play the villain, as usual. Ironheart is a pretty boring movie that moves slowly. Britton K. Lee plays a cop whose mission is to discover who killed his partner and who is behind a kidnapping of young women at a local night club. There are few fights in the movie and most are unimpressive, even the final fight with Bolo Yeung could have been much more exciting. Most of the movie consists of going from place to place, trying to unravel the mystery. Britton K. Lee is nothing spectacular. Though he shows a few martial arts skills, his character is very bland. The cheesiness and acting in Ironheart is just as bad as any poor martial arts movie and the night club scene at the beginning is about the silliest thing ever.
   
   If not for Bolo Yeung, this movie would be about the most boring of its kind. Bolo fans might be disapointed, but he's had worse roles (Fearless Tiger).

No comments about MASTERING THE DE LA RIVA GUARD STARRING WILLIAM BITTENCOURT, 5 VOLUMES ON 3 DVD'S.

1 comments about Grapplers Quest - 6th West Coast Submission Grappling and Wrestling Championships (Gracie -vs- Laimon).

1. This DVD features many top participants from Ralph Gracie's BJJ school, including the head instructor at the Mountain View academy - Sandro Santiago.