5 comments about Robin B Hood.

1. From an American point of view, this movie is confusing, disconnected, and a bit melodramatic. But this isn't an American movie. Jackie Chan is Taiwanese. This is that type of movie. Watching this movie as a foreign film is quite enjoyable. A little strange, but fun!



2. I did not enjoy the previous effort of a Benny Chan directed Jackie Chan film in "New Police Story" that I was definitely worried about a "Three Men and a Baby" inspired effort. The result was mixed, but going in with low expectations I was pleasantly surprised. "Rob-B-Hood" (US release name is a bizarre name change to "Robin-B-Hood" though in this movie there is no stealing from the rich to give to the poor; neither title is very good) is the third film in the collaboration between Benny Chan and Jackie Chan and Benny's first attempt at a comedic action film. While this film was successful in Asia it was not theatrically released in North America and most of Europe.
   
   Jackie Chan and Louis Koo Tin-Lok star as mediocre bad guys Thongs and Octopus. Jackie Chan tired of stereotypical nice guy roles wanted to play a criminal, though his character Thongs is a burglar and compulsive gambler, the "good guy" nature of his character comes through quite clearly and his performance does not veer far from most of Jackie's previous personae. This role is a good step in broadening his experience as an actor. Octopus is a married womanizer who works with Thongs. He married very young to Pak Yin (the terminally cute Charlene Choi) and is doing his best to woo wealthy young women while avoiding his wife. Thongs and Octopus both work under the guidance of the Landlord (Michael Hui) a conservative criminal who hoards his theft while the other two spend their "earnings".
   
   The Landlord has had his loot stolen by another criminal (he suspects everyone after this) so he allows himself to get contracted to a nefarious case to kidnap a baby for seven million dollars and give the infant to the possible grandfather to test if the baby is his sons (the son is dead and currently frozen in a very expensive decorated freezer). Thongs and Octopus both need the money so they acquiesce and help the Landlord with the felony. Of course, Thongs and Octopus, through a partially botched kidnapping attempt, are forced to take care of the cute defecating infant until they can reestablish getting the kid to who hired them. And, of course, they get attached to the baby (I cannot believe the baby got nominated for Hong Kong Film Award's Best New Performer category).
   
   Some of the negatives of this film include the ill-defined female characters (it seems they would have been better characterization in the original three-hour workprint, but that meant a whole lot more exposition); especially Gao Yuan-Yuan's Melody character who I had trouble figuring out what her relationship with Thongs was the first time I watched this. Some of the baby poop jokes were overdone as well as some of the infant's scenes in general (reportedly the child was an enfant terrible on the set; delaying shooting and helping push the film over budget). There is only so much you can do with a babbling, spitting, crying child with flatulence. Yuen Biao's Inspector Steve Mok character is definitely underused (as well as Michael Hui), though at least he gets more than a cameo in this film. And then there is the horrible overuse of Pepsi advertising including one scene where Jackie slides down a pole revealing the largest Pepsi graffiti I have ever seen.
   
   I did end up liking this film though. There is a certain congenial innocence with the lead characters that works well in this comedic action hybrid. In most Jackie Chan movies there are little stunts that sometimes seem as throwaways but are quite dangerous and are done with Keatonesque ease. In this movie Jackie slides down a staircase column and props himself up with ease at the end. If he fell on the wrong side he could have been seriously injured, but since it is so effortlessly it seems so simple. Jackie Chan has used more wires in his stunts and it definitely shows in this film, but I do not fault him for it, since his body cannot handle the punishment like it used to. The stunt where he jumps from air conditioner to air conditioner to the bottom of the street is impressive (even if a wire was used) and his and Louis Koo's stunts in the amusement park owned by the grandfather (location was Ocean Park) were quite good. In fact Jackie was said to be impressed of Koo who was willing to do many of his own stunts in the movie.
   
   There could have been more fighting in this movie but there is a good scene in the apartment of Jackie between Jackie, Yuen Biao, Ken Lo and more. It is inspired by a similar scene in Project A (this is also mentioned in the Benny Chan commentary), but still pleasant. While there are many faults in this film and I think that many action purists will not like this film, I found much that was enjoyable from the comedy to the action and stunts. Now please Jackie no more movies with babies.
   
   ***½/*****
   
   The extras on the Dragon Dynasty DVD are quite good though they have stupendously stupid names. The best is a 39 minute interview with Jackie Chan named "Crashing the Hood." In this he talks about how he wanted to be more serious as an actor and how he wanted to play more of a bad guy (this would be repeated on most of the extras) and how he had trouble passing the script through China. He talks about how he wants to work with more of his Peking school brothers (Sammo Hung and Yuen Wah) and some of his experiences with Michael Hui on "Cannonball Run." He even talks about his changing belief in CGI, how he channeled his Mom's stroke into this character and his non-use of storyboarding. He does make a mistake stating that this is his first main bad guy role (that would be "Killer Meteors" (1977) plus he did a couple of "thug" roles even earlier in his career). The most telling quote is when he states "I control the whole movie" dispelling any notion of the director as auteur for this film especially since this movie is produced by Jackie's company JCE Movies Limited.
   
   "The Hand That Mocks The Cradle" is a 16 minute interview with Benny Chan that repeats much of what is in the commentary except that he does state that Jackie Chan micromanages much less now then he did when he first directed him in "Who Am I." "Baby Boomer: A featurette with costar Conroy Chan" (14m) is interesting because of so much of what Conroy actually does. He is an X-Games promoter, was an electrical engineer in college, is a rap group member and has an Australian accent. However, he has a small role in the film. "Playtime for Adults: On the Site of Robin B. Hood" (22m) and "Robin-B-Hood: An Original Making Of" (22m) are typical "making of" fare that were originally (along with the director's commentary) put out on the R3 release. Luckily those two features have scenes of Yuen Biao being interviewed.
   
   Now where are the deleted scenes?
   
   The audio commentary by Benny Chan (with two interviewers who do not state their names), which was ported over from the R3 disc, is informative if not a bit dry. The Dragon Dynasty cover has a mistake in advertising stating that Bey Logan is on the commentary. He is not -- to the condemnation of some and to the happiness of others. Benny Chan talks much about how many scenes were cut (the work print of the film was three hours long; though he states he prefers the shorter version; thank goodness) and that most of the cut scenes were non-action. He also talks about some of the influence of Project A and Winners and Sinners. It was the first comedy for Benny Chan and Benny talked about how the baby was very difficult - this was echoed in much of the extras. Most of the commentary was scene-by-scene discussing where the missing scenes were, who some of the cameo actors are and his personal feelings on several scenes such as his struggling with the rationale of the "shocking" scene toward the end.



3. I got to this review page searching for when this movie was really made.
   
   I considered JC's action scenes in Rush Hour III as an indication he was ready for the "Over-the-Hill Gang", and told myself Robin B Hood was dragged out of a Taiwan vault.
   
   But I was sucked in by the hype on the box, and it did live up to it. The action scenes are reminiscent of earlier films, and it was good to see it was made recently.
   
   Confusing? Absolutely, especially in the first half. Thongs, Landlord and Octopus' characters in the early action scenes segue not at all into some of the other first-half "personal" scenes. I had to rewind to connect Octopus to the early action scenes with the later scenes of him being a total jerk to his wife. Is this that guy we saw earlier, dear?
   
   But, I agree with another reviewer: this is not an American film. Maybe we are too used to characters and plots that follow steps 1,2 and 3.
   
   In the end, I think the plot and character relationships were resolved satisfactorily. Not perhaps to the standard of a professional thriller, but definitely beyond the expectations of a B-action movie.



4. The great, unbeatable, real life actionman Jackie Chan is ageing. This of course is not new or shocking information, but it is true. Therefore he has shifted focus a bit in his new film, "Robin B Hood" (for which the English name in China interestingly enough was 'Rob-B-Hood', which to my ears at least sounds a bit better). Although he still fights and leaps and such, it is no longer the main act. The comedy takes over, and I must say, quite succesfully.
   
   There is one big problem with this though. While action and leaping around is universally understood, humour varies from one end of the world to another, and I think that there is a bit of that going on here. If you understand Chinese and Chinese culture and or cinema history, you will probably see more funny things in this film than if you don't. There are still plenty of things that are easily recognized as humourous, but many of the references and a lot of the dialogue is better if you speak Chinese. Nothing surprising about that really.
   
   I think there are enough leaping and figthing (and a visit from Yuan Biao) to keep genre fans happy, and enough humour to keep anyone else satisfied. In short: I think it is a good film. Highly recommendable.



5. After regaining some of the ground he lost in Hollywood with his last couple of Hong Kong films, Jackie Chan takes a big step backwards with the overlong Rob-B-Hood, a downmarket three bad men and a baby romp that offers limp gay jokes, comic relief mental illness, family bonding and child endangerment for all the family. There is one fairly good action sequence at the halfway point as well as a neat stunt that sees him jumping down a building via the air conditioning units, but you definitely get the feeling that Chan's no longer pushing himself but is just doing what he knows he can still do while Yuen Biao is mostly wasted in a nothing bit part. He's made worse, but that's hardly a recommendation.
   
   Dragon Dynasty's 2-disc set the theatrical version with audio commentary. There's also a variety of interviews and featurettes, but the film is such heavy going you quite possibly won't want to spend any longer on it once you've seen it.

5 comments about Shaolin Master Killer (Widescreen Edition).

1. This is one of the best Martial arts movies ever to come from the Shaw Brothers. Its storyline and dialogue are creative and highly enteraining. The quality of the DVD is tops - with the choces of watching in English, or Cantonese or Mandarian with or without subtitles - so I can get the best of the actor's performance.



2. A classic, no doubt. I get the whole Shoalin proving ground stuff but I could have used more fight sequences. Three sectional staff scene is unbelievable though. Digital transfer is excellent!



3. Anyone that is a fan of martial arts needs to see this film! The film is put together very nicely, and the picture looks great. The story is very good. A students seeks vengeance on the government that killed his friends and family, and seeks out the Shaolin temple. A place where monks only get the opportunity to learn kung fu, they reject him at first but eventually accept him. The intense training of the 35 chambers is shown greatly is one of the best parts of the movie. After his training is complete, he gets the choice of being overseer of one of the 35 chambers but chooses to create his own, the 36th chamber where he wants have the ability to give any man the chance to learn kung fu whether they are a monk or not. See the film to see if he completes this timeless story! Time to go get the other Shaw Brothers films!



4. This movie was well written, directed and acted. The action was good,the plot and the story line were very entertaining. I would HIGHLY recommend this movie to others. A must add to your collection!



5. The "36th Chamber of Shaolin" stars Gordon Liu as young man wanting to avenge the death of his family. As a small boy he is granted acceptance to a Shaolin Monastery where in record time he learns the necessary skills of a Shaolin master. He is shown working through many of the chambers to achieve perfection. However, before he can become a master of one of the chambers, he is challenged to a duel by another Master monk Lee Hoi San. Liu chooses the staff against Lee Hoi San's twin sabers. During his training he discovers and the Shaolin weapon and fighting style for the 3 part staff.
   However, after his successful battle against Lee, he is thrown out of the monastery in disgrace for wanting to teach Shaolin kung fu to ordinary people. Now living among those ordinary people, he must fight for them as the new government continues to oppress them.
   Amazing fighting sequences and good plot line make this the best Shaolin martial arts films I have ever seen.

5 comments about Kung Fu - The Complete First Three Seasons.

1. I think you have to know about the series if you're going to buy this. It was one of the first programmes I remember watching on tv as a kid. So if you're reading the review, you're interested in buying the DVD's but wonder if it's worth it. I have to say I have certainly got my money's worth with the DVD's. There are 4 double sided disks in each box with 3 programmes on each side of the disk. I am only half way through the second series but my wife complains that I am hogging the TV...(where is Caine when you need him!) If you want to see endless Kung Fu fighting then this is not for you as Caine does 2 fights per episode. It's more about the philosophy in the temple and Caine applying the principles through life doing his 'Little Hobo' bit. If you collect the final Caine Kung Fu film then you have a complete collection. Watching the programmes also takes you back to your halcyan days of Yore, (the good old days) and what you were doing when Kung Fu was on 'the box'. I'm certainly glad I bought them, great value for money.



2. Wonderful & Safe Entertainment For Whole Family
   
   We do not have regular TV as a result of what is being shown today, especially the commercials we find very to be very offensive and can be worst then the programming in some cases.
   
   We are purchasing more & more of the various DVDs from the time when shows were morally much safer all around!
   
   Kung FU Episodes aside from being great shows, offer Moral Life Lessons we feel are beneficial to all our children & us alike!
   
   Healthier experience for children of all ages!



3. I bought this set with some trepidation. It's a 70's TV show, with simple plots and appealed to that generation. Would it stand the test of time?
   
   Yes!
   
   The quality of presentation and packaging is supported by the quality of the dvd's. The picture holds up well on a big screen. The plots are as you would remember, predictable but nevertheless inspirational and moving. Caradine lives his role, it is impossible to not accept the he and Caine are one and the same.
   
   The initial picture and first episode will quickly get you hooked. Why was he called grasshopper? A fundamental link to being in tune with the world. Philosophy as entertainment? Hollywood providing a role model? Don't look too deep. Just buy and enjoy as much as we did over thirty years ago.



4. I just finished watching the 62 episodes and it exceeded my expectations. Great concept for a TV series.



5. I was a huge fan of Kung Fu in the 70's. I hadn't seen or even thought about it much in years until a friend and I mentioned recently how much we loved the show. I had no idea if it was still available, but a quick search online showed me that the entire series (3 seasons) was now out on DVD. I received it a few weeks ago, and it's still an absolute joy to watch. In addition to the show itself still being as cool as ever, watching it kind of "takes me back" to a different part of my life, in the best way. And having matured to a greater or lesser degree (depending on who you talk to) over the intervening years, I find I can appreciate the show's subtleties and philosophical teachings better now than when I was young.
   
   The extras about the development of the show, casting, etc. are informative. But of course it's the show itself that stands out. A few reviews mentioned that the video quality wasn't all that good - I've only watched the pilot movie and a few episodes so far, but have found the video quality to be just fine. After all, it was shot in the early 70's and will only look as good as the technology at that time would have allowed. I actually like the fact that it looks exactly as I remember it, making the experience all the more authentic.
   
   If you loved the show like I did, it's a no-brainer. You get the whole series for less than $100...snatch the pebble from my hand, walk the rice-paper, and buy this set, Grasshopper!

5 comments about Royal Warriors.

1. Wow...the martial arts in this movie really surprised me considering how raw and brutal some of the scenes were. Great movie with a great story. For those that don't know, this is the second installment of the In The Line of Duty series...I highly suggest checking out In The Line of Duty IV...but RW is awesome in terms of martial arts, you can expect a really brutal michelle yeoh in this one...story centers around michelle yeoh as a police officer along with a japanese police officer and an annoying security guard who prevents a plane from being hijacked by terrorists for the purpose of freeing a convict. They killed all the terrorists along with the convict, but then the convict's 3 best War buddies plot a revenge on the 3 individuals, and the rest of the movie is about pure survival...there are many dramatic parts in the film, but you'll be rooting for michelle all the way...definitely one of her best...



2. ROYAL WARRIORS is simply one of the best action movies ever made. It features the bone-crunchingly brutal style of Hong Kong choreography that was perfected in the 80's following the renaissance initiated by Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan, and it has rarely looked better than it does in this movie. This is text book action cinema, and Michelle Yeoh is remarkable.



3. I haven't seen this for over 10 years.
   Surprising storylines, I still remember.
   I don't remember about the fight scenes.
   I saw this before the days I took Kung Fu lessons.
   But I don't remember the muscle lines on her.

   ha ha.




4. This is one of Michelle's greatest movies! If you like action, drama and comedy at the same time, you will love Royal Warriors. Henry Sanada(a Japanese Agent)also shines in this movie with some great fighting moves. If you are also a Henry Sanada fan, you should really consider owning this movie. Enjoy guys, you will not regret it!



5. This is a rather amusing piece of fluff from an actress who was only to find herself in films like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" or "Wing Chun." The action scenes are nothing special and the story line shouldn't strain anyone's brain cells.

5 comments about Goyokin.

1. To those who care: Nakamura Kinnosuke is the shogunate spy and Tetsuro Tamba is the brother-in-law. Hope it's in widescreen, even though not stated. One of my favs. Just adding my $0.02.



2. BY ALL MEANS, RENT THIS FILM!! But -- for the truly discriminating viewer of genuinely sophisticated "jidaigeki" films -- I strongly suggest you hope for a different DVD release to purchase, one with superior translation compared to this DVD by MEDIA-BLASTERS/TOKYO SHOCK.
   
   "Goyokin" is a vastly subtle, yet utterly compelling, work. Superb direction, acting, writing, and cinematography do ample justice to this deceptively straightforward, yet culturally and thematically complex, drama. However, this version is under-served by translative butchery.
   
   Devotees of this remarkable, yet sadly obscure, film have waited decades for a quality video print, and for years a DVD version. What a disheartening disappointment, then, this version. Its only saving grace is the print, which does retain the film's impressive cinematography.
   
   But translator Julia Rose is grossly incompetent, her translation risibly juvenile and glib for such a mature work as "Goyokin." Her failure here desecrates the supremely sensitive achievement that is director Hideo Gosha's film.
   
   Ms. Rose fails to grasp the most suggestive nuances of the Japanese people, their language, history, and culture. This film demands not only a command of all these elements, but a mastery of English prose to adeptly convey Japanese refinement to an English-speaking audience -- a depth of sophistication worthy of the film's artistry. (Accountability should also rest with the DVD's Translation Manager, Anna Yamamoto.)
   
   Hopefully, fans of "Goyokin" will one day be rewarded with an alternative DVD version, one with a finesse of translation that is equal to the level of this classic work.
   
   Fine and noteworthy films merit long life in a loyal and dedicated audience, who deserve to see films exactly as their creators envisioned in the final cut -- not as works butchered by the hands of post-production incompetents.



3. I first saw this great film in the early 1970s, at the now defunct Fox Theatre in Venice, California. I remembered that the film was somewhat butchered in its theatrical release, therefore, I am willing to take any translation transfer until a better one is released. I can understand the spotlight reviewers complaints, it bothers me too. The film centers around the character Wakizaka Magobei (Tatsuya Nakadai) as a samurai who returns to his clan which he has left for many years. And (Tatsuya Nakadai) portrays his character exceptionally well in this film. Wakizaka Magobei is guilt ridden from an incident [no spoilers] which occurred years before. He has returned to prevent a massacre from happening again.
   
   Furthermore, Wakizaka Magobei is intent on preventing his clan from repeating this intended massacre which he feels great remorse for. This film is an excellent morality and loyalty tale involving the films main protagonist, (Tatsuya Nakadai). And the films psychological nuances are intelligently woven into this film. The cinematography is outstanding, with many beautifully captured and stunning visuals. Moreover, the films concluding duel is terrific. The film has an entertaining plot, great visuals and beautiful cinematography which makes this one of the better samurai films out there. This film is not to be missed, it belongs in your cinema collection, and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. [Stars: 5+]



4. This is an underappreciated classic - while the editing is disjointed, the visuals are stunning. My quess is that the director was influenced by Hitchcock - the beginning scene where the bride returns to her village has a very Hitchcock feel. I saw the film maybe a dozen times before I could look at that scene all the way with my eyes open. There are several memorable scenes in this movie, including the one with the hero in front of a wall of fire and the final battle in the snow.



5. "Standing By and Turning a Blind Eye to Evil is akin to committing the Sin Itself.."
   GOYOKIN (1969) is the second film by Hideo Gosha, the director also responsible for the Criterion released "Sword of the Beast" and "Three Outlaw Samurai". I'm rather surprised as to why Criterion hasn't picked this film up, but nonetheless, Media Blasters did manage to release this film in re-mastered form. Toshiro Mifune was supposedly picked to play the character of Samon, but dropped out at the last minute due to sickness. "Goyokin", while a lesser known film compared to "Hara-Kiri" and "Sword of Doom" is an excellent chambara film which also stars Tatsuya Nakadai as the main character. It is still an awesome tale of conflicting emotions about loyalty or the interpretations of, the guilt and atonement of the past's sins and feudal political greed.
   
   Synopsis partly derived from the dvd back cover:
   The film is a tale of a haunted samurai named Magobei Wakizaka (Tatsuya Nakadai), who returns home to the site of the past massacre to seek atonement and redemption for his soul. The clan he abandoned intends to instigate another heartless massacre akin to an earlier reign of terror that caused Magobei to resign his position and leave the clan. The original massacre has become a legend that is attributed to an evil spirit. Protecting the last survivor of the massacre, a beautiful woman named Oriha (Ruriko Asaoka), Magobei absorbs a phenomenal amount of punishment as a way of atoning for the sins of his clan.
   
   Gosha's film is a awesome spectacle of blood and swordplay that uses the Tohoku Locales as a backdrop of the film. The films exudes an atmospheric feeling as the crushing waters impact against the shoreline, the white snow stained with blood, with black crows looking to feed on the carcasses of the dead. The film looks very authentic and accurate to its timeline. The film's main premise is the blind loyalty to one's clan, and the hope for redemption by atoning for an indifference to an injustice. Goyokin has the same style and feel to the chambara classics by Kobayashi, and far superior to the works of Suzuki, because his films have better characterizations and better content with superior performers.
   
   "GOYOKIN" has definitely hit a bull's-eye in casting Tatsuya Nakadai as the lead character. The film revolves around a tortured soul that is haunted by his past, and Nakadai is impressive as Magobei. His gestures, action and mannerisms have that intense feel that emphasizes a man looking inward to the depths of his own soul. It is also a fantastic move for director Gosha to cast Yoko Tsukasa as Shino, this actress has impressed me with her performance in "Samurai Rebellion" and although she did have limited screen time, she nonetheless grabs the audience as Magobei's wife. It was quite ironic as a retainer named Kunai ordered Magobei assassinated, because Kunai is lusting after his wife; this event is what triggered Magobei's resolve to atone for his mistake. Kinnosuke Nakamura plays a role originally intended for Toshiro Mifune, and the man does add a certain charisma to the film's proceedings.
   
   The film also has a satisfying share of swordfights that will attract action lovers. The swordplay displayed are reminiscent of the "Shogun Assassin" films that are nicely choreographed and staged with a realistic feel. The film also has a climactic duel between Magobei and Tatewaki (Tetsuro Tamba), his main nemesis, with a maneuver that rivals the "quick draw" in Kurosawa's "Sanjuro" for sheer intensity that makes you say "that's cool". Blood splattered onto white snow adds a lot of visceral punch.
   
   GOYOKIN is a film very worthy of anyone's time and while it may be inferior to the chambara films of Kurosawa and Kobayashi, the film is very satisfying in its own right. The film's meticulous execution in historical accuracy gives the film a very "real" feel that gives its audience an "authentic" experience. The film is very clever in staging its action sequences that will remind us the subtleties of the execution of swordplay, much like an Akira Kurosawa film would. The exciting execution of the film enhances the story and the characters enhance its content. Hideo Gosha "Goyokin" is a true part of great Japanese classics.
   
   Highly Recommended! [4 Stars]
   
   Note: The film is great but the subtitles in this dvd needs to be translated better. The translations carry the occasional American "slang" that annoyed me at times. Example: "Matte" in Japanese means "wait" but was translated to "hang on". "Angry" and "understand" has been translated to "pissed off" and "got it' respectively. "Kane no tamenara nanndemo suru" ("I'll do anything for gold") is translated to "I'll do anything for a buck." There is no "buck" during this period.
   
   The mistranslations doesn't really ruin the dialogue but it does serve occasional annoyances.

5 comments about The Bride With White Hair 2.

1. Forget that Bridgett Lin and Leslie Cheung were the stars of the first movie and just enjoy this one for its own bizarre standards. The plotline involves the Bride kidnapping another bridge, brainwashing her into trying to kill her fiance and fighting. Lots of fighting. The fiance is helped by his grandmother (who does kung fu better than anyone) and his female friend who is jealous of the whole arrangement but loyal to a fault.
   
   And this also has the best payoff to the requisite canto-pop montage. It was also the first time I ever laughed aloud at the "this is a work of fiction, any resemblence to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental" tag at the end.
   
   Beyond that, Leslie Cheung and Bridgett Lin do reunite at the end and it is wonderful, but the real story ended with the first movie. This is just an excuse to get Bridgett Lin with the white hair as a lethal weapon. Not that there's anything wrong with that.



2. I wrote a huge review for this and don't know where it is but let me give you the short version. They don't continue the story, that is until the end of the movie. AND THAT WAS THE PART TRHAT RUINED THE MOVIE FOR ME. The movie is about this kid from the wudang sword school and he is going to get married. Enter the Bride. She of course doesn't want anybody to be happy so...
   
   The story is not really worth going over, it is just injected and there are no real emotions. Except of course for an ending that really PO'ed me. The only reason this movie gets a 2 stars and almost gets a 3 is for Christy Chung. Not only is she one of the most beautiful women on earth, she is a great actress. So I know of 2 movies now that are only worth watching for her, this and Red Wolf. It may be because the people she works with are so terrible, but to tell the truth, Christy Chung actually made me pop this dvd in for a second time. Not a big deal since it was only like a 77 minute long movie.



3. I loved part 1 , but just to let everyone know before you buy it.The language says english and the cover is in english , but only the subtitle is in english.There is no where on the dvd to change it.



4. The story line is direction is okay. Action sequences are good but not spectacular. Fast-paced and confusing at times. It took me 2-days to watch, since I fell asleep on it the first time.



5. If you are looking for a typical good Chinese sword fighting, this is a great movie. I also would like to recommend Part I.

4 comments about Ultimate Fighting Championship, Vol. 71: Liddell vs. Jackson.

1. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS*
   
   Overall, UFC 71 was a pretty good fight card. Two fights stand out in mind:
   
   First, of course, is the main event. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson makes it 2-0 against "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell, this time winning the UFC Light Heavyweight Crown in the process. A shocking end, thanks to a devastating Rampage right hook, to Liddell's reign as king of the UFC's light heavyweight division, and the beginning of the Rampage Era.
   
   As good as the Rampage-Liddell main event was, that wasn't even the biggest upset of the night. That honor belongs to UFC newcomer Houston Alexander. With a 6-1 MMA record going into the fight, many thought that he would be easy pickings for odds-on favorite Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine. Nobody told "The Assassin" that, who shockingly demolished Jardine in a mere 48 seconds with a series of brutal punches and uppercuts.
   
   As I said, overall it was a good card.



2. UFC 71 is a pretty good card overall, it has some pretty entertaining bouts. This DVD is a must buy for one reason and one reason only, the fight between the LHW Champ Chuck Liddell and the number one contender Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Jackson was already 1-0 against Chuck having beat him a few years back in the Pride 2003 Gran Prix. Would he go ahead and make it 2-0 or would the Champ keep his belt? I highly recommend purchasing this event. I will personaly buy this Dvd myself and that is saying something because I only buy the good ones.



3. This is one of the best UFC events I have seen in a very long time. Granted, there are some really short fights, and some people may find that to be disappointing, but even those fights have really good finishes. The only exception is the bout between Irvin and Silva, since on paper this was one of the best match-ups of the night due to the careless aggressiveness of the contestants, but an early injury concluded it before we could get what we were hoping for.
   
   All the bouts in the main card were excellent. The weakest one was probably Leben vs. Starren, but it was still a well-rounded and evenly-matched confrontation with plenty of exciting moments. Of course the anticipation surrounding the Liddell vs. Jackson fight made it one of the highlights of the night, and even though it is a short bout, the action is electrifying. Nevertheless, I have to say that the match-up that stole the night was Parisyan vs. Berkman, with two fighters that left everything they had inside the octagon, and who demonstrated an impressive set of skills. This fight had it all, guns-blazing stand-up action, judo, ju-jitsu, you name it.
   
   The quick decision in many of the fights forced the producers to release a product that is about thirty minutes shorter than the norm, and that is after adding stuff, like an overview of the record of each player and their previous fights, even for the undercard bouts. However, unless you are somebody that likes longer fights instead of knockouts / submissions, the overall quality of the product is outstanding.



4. Date: May 26, 2007
   Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
   
   This fight card presents a fairly decent night of fights leading up to a rematch long-in-the-making between Chuck Liddell and Quinton Jackson. It is a fight card populated mostly by good fighters who (in my opinion) have very little impact on their respective divisions.
   
   Carmello Marrero vs. Wilson Gouveia: This one is decent and mildly entertaining, although brief.
   
   Din Thomas vs. Jeremy Stephens: Stephens has his debut fight against a seasoned veteran in Din Thomas. Thomas again looks very good against the only level of competition he ever truly looks good against. I do not see him as a legit contender and he has been around forever. He is a very talented fighter, but he has proven not to be able to stack up against the best. This fight has absolutely no impact on the division. Oh well...
   
   Alan Belcher vs. Sean Salmon: Both fighters are coming off of losses and both have a lot to prove in the UFC. Here, only one fighter seems to fight as though he is in such a predicament.
   
   James Irvin vs. Thiago Silva: James Irvin is luckily injured in this fight and potentially saved from a vicious beating... Silva is the next beast coming out of the esteemed Chute Box Academy. We will be seeing more of him soon.
   
   Chris Leben vs. Kalib Starnes: If someone was to ask me to concoct a matchup between the two UFC fighters who most annoy me, this would be the result. This fight is a snoozer and again has no impact on the division. Don't get me wrong, the fight is pretty competitive, but it simply isn't going to have you standing up and cheering.
   
   Houston Alexander vs. Keith Jardine: I am sure that if you watch any UFC at all, it would not be a spoiler for me to mention that this is the most shocking moment of the night. This fight was supposed to be a showcase fight for The Dean of Mean. All appears to be going to plan as Jardine stuns Alexander with a shot that sends him quickly to the canvas. What happens after that is just beautiful to watch.... WOW!
   
   Ivan Salaverry vs. Terry Martin: Fans may remember Salaverry from back in the UFC 50s when he was fighting and defeating the likes of Tony Fryklund and Joe Riggs with excellent submissions. This fight pits the handy and slick Salaverry against a bull named Terry Martin. Strength vs. Experience... Who will win? Who cares? Just kidding... This one is not too bad.
   
   Karo Parisyan vs. Josh Burkman: This is NOT one of the fights that will have no impact on the division. In this case, we have a stalwart in the division, Karo Parisyan, against a rising talent in Burkman. Both fighters are great contenders and both are very exciting fighters. Simply based on my view of the fighters, I would place Karo a level above Burkman prior to seeing them go at it. This fight is definitely worth watching, but don't expect anything spectacular.
   
   Main Event - Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson:
   
   This is a special moment, as I watched this fight among a room of Chuck Liddell fans. I watch Rampage like a proud father, haha. After having followed Jackson from as far back as King of the Cage all the way through his days with Pride FC (through all ups and downs), I believed that he was simply a better fighter than Liddell in every aspect. I knew he had Liddell's number and that he would beat him 9 times out of 10.
   
   Both fighters come out looking calm and focused as Couture (on commentary) predicts that Jackson will wear Chuck down by the 3rd or 4th. I would have said the same, but instead we are treated to a calculated, hitman style stoppage. The winner gets Dan Henderson - what a treat.
   
   This DVD release brings a far better DVD format than previous UFC DVDs. As always, there is some solid bonus material. Jackson highlights this portion of the DVD, as well.

5 comments about Around the World in 80 Days (Full Screen Edition).

1. This movie is pure fun! Don't expect the Jules Verne version, or a "classic" Jackie Chan movie though! The "idea" from the book is there, and there is plenty of martial arts sequences, but not much else in either case. Still, there is plenty of light-hearted entertainment here... continuous action, chemistry, wit, suspense, surprise, tenderness... My family and I enjoy this film everytime we watch it!



2. There isn't a single thing right with this movie. Bad computer graphics make real location shots look fake. The actors playing the two main heroes (Chan and Coogan) are horribly miscast. The fight scenes look boring (it's a miracle, considering Jackie Chan's participation, and I'll attribute it to the towering ineptitude of Frank Coraci as the director). The plot (I am being charitable using this word) takes totally unnecessary liberties with the setting and with the original material (the classic 1873 Jules Verne novel).
   
   Do yourself a favor. Stay away from this turkey - buy the DVD of the 1956 multiple Oscar-winning adaptation of the same novel instead!



3. Jackie's martial arts antics remain admirable, but you can enjoy those and still laugh in his "Shanghi" movies. He's fun to watch, but he also falls prey to so many movies that just aren't funny-and this is one of them. The dialog stinks, the jokes fall way short, and the slap stick bites, to put it mildly. In this manner, it does strongly resemble the original, but when the movie itself is so bad, star cameos cannot save it. Do not waste your money or your time. What a waste, for an otherwise lovable guy.



4. This is a funny, family movie with martial arts, a pretty blue-eyed French woman, and many hilarious encounters. At times there are flowing scenery shots that are lightly animated, a way of forwarding through time in the movie. Something I did not like and thought was stupid was the animated chicken, which appears in an alternate beginning option on the DVD and appears later in the movie, I think when they're crossing the Atlantic towards England. However, the acting, direction, and signature Jackie Chan stunts all make up for any minor problems with the movie. The DVD also includes a few deleted scenes, and a good widescreen presentation.



5. I remember watching the original "Around the World in 80 Days" on television with my father in the 1970's. Dad and I both agreed the movie was a "yawner" and we were both asleep before it finished. While doing a library search for the Jules Verne book to tie in with the "Galloping the Globe" theme for school I was delighted when I discovered the Walden Media/Walt Disney version of the film.
   The movie is based on the Jules Verne classic but with engaging twists and turns in the stories plot to keep you interested in the story. For this version Fogg's valet is none other than Passport 2 aka Jackie Chan. Chan brings his signature martial arts, stunt man antics and wacky humor to the storyline. Steve Coogan, a British actor widely known for his BBC comedy series "I'm Alan Partridge" replaces David Niven in the role of Phileas Fogg, brillant mechanical engineer, inventor and scientist.
   The movie includes a cast of brillant character and comic actors, Robb Schneider of SNL fame, John Cleese of Fawlty Towers fame, and veteran actors Ian McNeice and Jim Brodbent. This movie is a world wind adventure for the entire family!

No comments about Lone Wolf & Cub, Volume 4, Eps. 14-18.

4 comments about 3 the Hard Way...Again.

1. this is a old school classic and should be remember as one of the first Afro-american movie.



2. This is not the original classic but what looks like a tribute to the actors from the film.
   You get a Jim Kelly,Fred Williamson and Jim Brown film PLUS a super martial arts flick Mafia vs. Ninja with the guy from Shaolin Dolemite.
   A good budget pack with rare blaxploitation films.



3. THIS is not the the classic movie three the hard way. But a collection of low budget and poor quality movies that have two of the stars from the 3 the hard way in unrelated movies.



4. This movie is in no way a sequel to the mega hit 3 the hard way.A complete waste of time and money!