No comments about The Last Sentinel/Final Days of Planet Earth [Blu-Ray] [Blu-ray].

5 comments about Wing Chun: Fighting Art.

1. I have over a hundred and twenty books on martial arts. I have around forty to fifty dvds and tapes on the subjects of Wing Chun, Tai Chi, BJJ, Baguazhang, Xing-I, and much more. Amongst the Wing Chun dvds that I have are the series hosted by Benny Meng. Which I consider to be an excellent work. Yet there were some blanks that needed to be filled in.
   In Mr. Michael Wong's dvd, some of these blanks were filled in. I purchased the fighting arts and self defense dvds, since the price was so good. Once I viewed them, I went and purchased the whole Wing Chun series.
   One thing that is important in Martial Arts is that it be "ALIVE". You learn the form, system, kata, movements or whatever you would like to call it and then you practice on someone. In Mr. Wong's dvds, he emphasizes this. He states that you must train with an opponent that is not just doing what you wish him to do. That is why in time past they invented push hands and sticky hands. They had no way to safely test their skills with one another. So they had to devise a way to work with an opponent in a safe fashion but still get the feel of an uncooperative adversary. This is why Judo, Aikido and BJJ does what they do. Almost all their moves are made so that they can be performed on a partner without killing the other person. Hence they get the feel of an opponent that is fighting them.
   When it comes to striking though, we have not been able to test our skills safely up until the past fifty or so years. With the advent of plastics and other essential materials, the striking arts can now practice with almost the same amount of intensity as a grappling art.
   (Sorry to go off on a tangent, but on with what I thought of about Mr. Wong's Dvds. )
   
   I believe that he sticks mainly within the parameters of Wing Chun. I don't believe that he chases hands (at least not too much), as one of the other writers said, yet I would say that one should investigate the art through several sources. In Benny Meng's DVDs (Who is the curator of the Wing Chun museum, by the way) he lists a side kick as part of the Wing Chun arsenal, so I do not see why anyone would think that a side kick is inappropriate for Wing Chun. Another issue that was brought up is simultaneous blocks and punches. This is not par for the course in any Wing Chun system that I have seen. With the exception of Bui Ji. True simultaneous blocking and striking must be preformed with one arm. If you are saying that Mr. Wong doesn't use Tan Sau while punching, or if you are saying that he doesn't perform Bui Ji in the right way. I must say that you are mistaken. If you wish an art with simultaneous blocking and striking, you would be much better off with Xing-I or Hsing Yi if you prefer.
   
   We have the internet, dvds, cds and other learning devises. The old masters of the past martial arts did not have these options. They had a teacher and maybe a book or two. The teacher said this and they did it. What option did they have???
   So I would purchase Mr. Wong's dvds if you are interested in Wing Chun. But I would also purchase from other recognized teachers ( such as the above mentioned, plus William Cheung, Garrett Gee and Randy Williams, etc.) on the art then compare and find the truth of the matter. Then see what works for you.
   On last thought (sorry for blathering on). A greyhound cannot be a good sled dog and a Siberian Husky will never be the fastest dog a the track. So go out and find what martial art is right for you and pursue it.



2. There is a part in this DVD series where the "master" says something to the effect that maybe you want to hit this guy because you dont like the way he's looking at you". This goes against the philosophy for ANY martial arts and certainly for Wing Chun. Some of the techniques are also not Wing Chun.



3. I am a student of Grandmaster Kenneth Chung, one of the best wing chun teachers out there. I have watched this dvd with my friend, and we both came to the conclusion that Master Wong is an absolute tool. His wing chun is sloppy and overpowered. He focuses way too much on banging on the dummy, instead of developing sensitivity and correct posture. On top of that, his stance is terrible. The best way to learn wing chun is to feel it, even a school that is kind of crappy is better then this dvd. Unfortunately, if you can't find a school, then your best bet would be to pick up the dvd by Wong Shun Leung. Stay away from William Cheung and Leung Ting, they are only trying to sell you a commercialized version of Wing Chun!!



4. The "Little Idea" was pulled apart, picked over, and repackaged into nothing even close to Wing Chun. The principles are shot to hell here. For example, you don't wail away and overpower your opponent with brute force, you feel your way over the bridge and strike efficiently. His movements are wasteful in the extreme, his stance and center of balance constantly leaving him wide open to a real wingchunner's strike. Whatever this guy is demonstrating, it is far closer to MMA than Wing Chun. Save your money.



5. Master Wong shows you why he is one of the great Masters of this martial art form.

5 comments about House of Flying Daggers [UMD for PSP].

1. Um........BORING!!!
   I loved Crouching Tiger, and I loved Hero even more.
   I was expecting a brilliant picture like the other two I mentioned but...........BORING!!!
   I think I fell asleep twice during the movie. I forced myself to watch it again.
   I didn't fall asleep the second time, but I still found the story to be boring, unmemorable and criminally uninteresting.
   Thank the gods Curse of the Golden Flower came out, that movie totally smokes this one.
   Granted, it may not have as much of the high wire acrobatics of Flying Daggers but the story is so much better than this um......romance.
   So what's good about House of Flying Daggers?
   It's pretty to look at, and has some great high wire martial effects.
   But if you've seen Crouching, or Hero, you've seen it done better with much better stories.
   I can't recommend this one except for die hard swords and romance fans.
   Not recommended.



2. This movie makes the matrix look like a chick flick. The effects and use of bold colors in this film are amazing. Once you get past having to read subtitles, the movie is pure excitement and magic.



3. i watch this all the time, it runs great everytime, great quality, nice box. no damages.



4. This was one of the Blu-Ray discs that I bought at the same time I bought my player, as I was guessing that the vibrant colors of this film would look great in HD. Unfortunately, there is so much film grain and visual noise that I had to drastically reduce the backlight and the color saturation on my LCD in order to make it less distracting. But this eliminated the primary artistic virtue of the film: its colorful palette. If this had been what Blu-Ray had to offer, I would have returned the player immediately, as I had seen better picture quality from upscaled DVDs and from HD downloads in 720p. Thankfully, I was guided towards "I, Robot" and "Ratatouille" and saw what Blu-Ray really has to offer, and it is worth the price of admission. But the shoddy presentation of "House of Flying Daggers" nearly soured me on the whole experience before I really got started.
   
   I rather enjoyed this film on standard-definition cable TV when I first saw it. The colors are marvelous, the fight scenes are fluid, and the plot is simple but effective. The main character, Wind, is kind of a jerk at first, but he grows on you a little by the end. I would describe the acting as competent, even a bit above-average for what you'd expect. For a foreign language film, we English-speaking viewers need decent acting through facial expressions and body language, and there's enough here to adequately serve the story.
   
   I don't know what equipment was used to shoot this film, but I hope that a great transfer could be done one day when Blu-Ray has settled into its place as the dominant disc format. This is the type of film that has great potential as an HD viewing experience, but it hasn't come close to realizing that quite yet. If you have and enjoy the DVD of this movie, I would recommend against buying the Blu-Ray at this time.



5. This movie is a wonderful experience to watch. It's sublime, passionate and has many moments that inspire the heart to sing. I love the Chinese culture and found this movie like stepping into a cool pond of water - it awakened all my senses.
   
   I highly recommend it.

No comments about UFC 45 & 46 2pk.

5 comments about Kung Phooey!.

1. Kung Phooey is a slap stick comedy poking campy humour and parody at kung fu movies and the series Kung Fu.
   
   Art Choo (thats his name, not a sneeze) has come from the Shirley Temple of China all the way to his releatives in America to seek an ancient peach that contains powers of youth. But his new nemises Sue She is also looking for the peach, along with her two side kicks, the big guy, Wun Tonne and the little guy Loe Fat. Art teams up with a Chinease/American who trys to be American over Chinease, and an African American, Leroy (Roy Lee) who want's to be Bruce Lee but has no skills.
   
   The movie is fun, pokes fun at Chinease stereo types (by the Chinease!) kung fu movies and is sure to get a laugh out of fans of this kind of thing. The cover says it's like Austin Powers, not really, but in some ways it is. AP pokes fun at Bond movies, this one pokes fun at Kung Fu movies.
   
   Overall, it's worth a rent at least. It's a funny and entertaining independent film that will be up there in my collection along side movies like, Kung Pow, American Ninja and even Airplane, Naked Guns, Hot Shots ect...
   
   The thing I dont understand is why this film in America has an R rating? It's 12 in UK, PG or M Australian, and G Canada... yet an R in America? It has no swearing, no nudity, no sexual content thats inapropriot for kids. I really think it's a PG 13 movie.... and no, it's not voilent and there is no blood or gore.
   
   I need a glass of WATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA



2. This movie is ok, the humor is slap stick and dry, to the point where at first it is funny, but stupid and pointless. The whole movie is a parody of the whole kung fu movie genre and the people of this ethnic background.
   
   The acting is mediocre, the actors are very B-list, or maybe C. The plot of the movie is simple and worthless, there are no or little fighting scenes, there will be funny moments at times, reference to many things, very simple and entertaining.
   
   Overall ok movie, not the best movie, but delivers entertainment for the whole family, even though it is rated "R", for no reason.



3. This is an awesome slapstick comedy for those who like to get some laughs. It's about time a comedy was made for the Chinese American generation! I can relate to the humor and the culture of the story. I hope they come out with Kung Phooey II!



4. If Mel Brooks was into old Kung Fu movies instead of old Westerns, this would be the result.



5. Okay, I can see where some people were coming from sayign this might have been how Mel Brooks would make a kung fu movie spoof, if he were into that kind of thing.
   
   I don't think it's quite as funny as Mel Brooks might have made it though...
   
   It seemed to me a bit like a made-for-TV movie, and it really seemed to play up the campiness. I didn't feel like the actors were all that into it, though. In some parts, they just seemed to be going through the motions, rather than 'acting,' per se.
   
   Don't get me wrong, I laughed in a few parts... But I definitely prefer Kung Pow - Enter The Fist, in terms of spoofs. The White Dragon had a few moments, too, but overall I wasn't a big fan of that one either (as some parts were equally painful to watch; though, it did have a few rather hilariously unexpected moments).
   
   In all, I guess I'd say rent this one before buying... It's perhaps worth a watch. But, if you really want it, at the current $7.99 price it's not a bad deal.

No comments about Pride: 2006 Total Elimination.

5 comments about Hero [UMD for PSP].

1. First off, it is important to note that this version is the shorter, American version. While some of the changes were subtle, they do take away from what I consider to be a flawless film. For instance, the translation of Huang Di in this version is 'Our Land'. And while that seems nice, the true translation is 'All Under Heaven'. Just has so much more poetry to it. If you enjoyed this film in the US, seek out the original version.
   
   Hero is fantastic because it is not a pure martial arts movie. With Zhang Yimou at the helm, there was something else to be expected of this film- and it delivered.
   
   What Hero represents is martial arts filmmaking as an art form. While watching the movie the thought that kept popping into my head was 'visual poetry'. The amount of nuance and subtlety that Hero contains is hard to even begin to explain. But the more you watch, the more you see the little details that add so much to the film, mostly on a subconcious level.
   
   See the colors change. Notice when all the sound is pulled out in favor of silence, or of just the musical score. The power of a scream where there is no sound is overwhelming. The interplay between regular and slo-motion is used, not just for visual style, but to jar ones senses or to convey an emotion that words cannot evoke. See th focus change as the direcotr leads your eye around the screen. Notice the arrangement of people and objects in the frame. Nothing is an accident. Nothing is left to chance. It is obvious that Yimou has control over even the slightest detail, a gift reserved for a handful of only the most talented like Hitchcock or Scorsese or Wong Kar-Wai.
   
   The fight scenes in Hero are amazing because they have a life of their own. They weren't designed to "one-up" every other fight scene ever committed to film. The much touted Jet v. Donnie fight is extraordinary. Not because it is the most technically complicated or the most mind-blowing, but because it is designed for these two legends to be in perfect sync with one another. It is flawless. Even more so, it tells a story.
   
   In the fight we see the essence of these two characters. And the fight scenes just get better from there. The scene over the lake still gives me chills when I watch it. That may well be the most poetic choreography I've ever seen.
   
   What else excited me about this film is that Tan Dun returned from doing his excellent Crouching Tiger score to do this one. Except this time, he traded in master cellist Yo-Yo Ma for legend violinst Itzhak Perlman. This score is more accessible than the CTHD one was. And the music is like its own character in this film, sometimes being the only thing one hears. It complements the picture and the story brilliantly and lends much to the viewing experience.
   
   I was disheartened to see negative reviews on the internet where people felt it was a film that was a propaganda piece for China and its rule. I understand that the real Huang Di was not as beneficent as he was portrayed in this film, and that his rule was violent and short. But what I saw wasn't propaganda for a communist/socialist government. What I saw was the beauty of a culture that evolved over hundreds of years of bloodshed and hardship. And regardless of the official party line, I was moved by "All under heaven". At no point was I ready to throw a Che or Chairman Mao poster on my wall. I don't think this is the movie that people need to worry about "sending the wrong message" to the kids.
   
   This film was not meant to be any type of historical record (that's why we have history books and why movies aren't valid sources to cite in research papers). What this movie represents is filmmaking at its greatest height. The film as a true art form, combining on-screen and off-screen talent with visuals and audio that can stand alone, yet when combined, equal more than the sum of their parts. Asian film fans, martial arts fans, the average Joe, and film snobs alike should be able to appreciate this on many, many different levels.



2. Not going to ruin the ending for people, but even with the sad ending, this is one of the best movies with Jet Li. It reminds me a lot of Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince. From the philosophy of how to become a good king and betrayals thereof. Everything about this movie is pure aesthetic, and art for arts sake. The backdrop is so illuminating and dreamlike. How in one moment, the scenery is very green, then very red, that it gets really fun to guess what the next color will be. Overall, an awesome movie you don't want to miss.



3. Red version: Hero is the story of one man's quest (Nameless, played by Jet Li) to destroy the three assassins (lovers Broken Sword played by Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Flying Snow played by Maggie Cheung, and Sky played by Donnie Yen) who tried to kill the King of Qin (Chen Daoming). Nameless bests Sky in combat, and Broken Sword and Flying Snow betray each other, all the while fighting off the King's entire army, until Nameless finally kills Snow. At least, that's the story Nameless tells the King, who is privileged with advancing within ten paces of him.
   
   Blue version: The King disagrees. He knows the assassin lovers and doesn't believe the story. He instead believes that the three assassins sacrificed their own lives to allow Nameless the audience with the King, and thus a chance to commit regicide himself. He has developed a special move, the King theorizes, that can kill a man at ten paces.
   
   White version: Now the truth comes out. Nameless explains who he is, where he came from, and why he is in the King's palace. Nameless has a technique that can skewer a person while missing all their vital organs, making the blow look fatal. He used it on Sky and he uses it again on Flying Snow. Surprisingly, Broken Sword is against the entire notion of assassinating the King at all, a decision that harkens back to the duo's first assassination attempt. It failed only because Broken Sword chose not to kill the King.
   
   Throughout the movie parallels are made between calligraphy and martial arts, and specifically the symbol for the word "sword." There are deeper meanings within the brush strokes, a form of enlightenment that Broken Sword achieved and that the King discovers in his conversation with his would-be assassin. Nameless' decision and the effect it has on the other assassins provides the twist to the tale.
   
   Hero is a breathtaking movie, filled with balletic martial arts, lovely scenes in vivid colors, and natural settings reflecting China's ancient history and beauty. It's entertaining and moving, and the relationship between Broken Sword and Flying Snow anchors the piece. The three different tales, each depicted by a particular color scheme, provides different backdrops for heroics, drama, and warfare.
   
   On the other hand, Hero is a Chinese cinematic version of "Who Moved My Cheese" - it reinforces the status quo with a sinister charm. Killing kings is foolish, says Hero, because it only leads to more war. Nameless' decision is one of sacrifice, one for the many. Were this only a fable, the story wouldn't be politically charged. But the King of Qin went on to become the Emperor of China, who did a lot of great things. So, you know, killing him would be bad because China wouldn't be nearly as great without him.
   
   The question becomes whether or not that matters on a greater moral scale. Hero clearly makes the point that we should feel sympathy for the poor King in his enlightened state. Revenge never gets anyone anywhere. And yet by reducing the course of history to the assassination of one man, Hero makes many assumptions: about the importance of said man, about the progress of China, about our own human failings. It's a very Chinese movie, which makes it either more authentic or less palatable to American audiences. It all depends on your definition of the term "hero."



4. Hero genuinely impressed me, much to my surprise - I'm not a fan of the humourlessly one-note Jet Li, who has always struck me as a character from Mystery Men who didn't make the final cut (useless `super' power - the ability to wave a flagpole around very, very fast) and after all the fuss made over the tedious, overlong and undernourished Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was expecting the Western critical praise to translate into another tired and overfamiliar movie that appealed mainly to people who hadn't seen much Eastern cinema. Boy, was I wrong. A gorgeous looking epic with a real sense of scale and amazing visuals allied to a complex plot, I was kicking myself for not seeing this one on the big screen. Not everything is successful (the duel on the lake never quite works), but more than enough is to guarantee repeat viewings. Li's limitations are used well for once and while Ziyi Zhang's petulant acting still doesn't entirely convince me, it's surprising to find the weakest performance coming from the film's best actor, Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Never at his most convincing in fantasy swordplay movies (the introspective Ashes of Time excepted), he seems a little underpowered for such an iconic role. But these are minor quibbles with a major delight.
   
   Be aware that there is an extended director's cut available in China (the disc has English subtitles though there is a curious intermittent trademark watermark in the top of the screen), although Miramax seem in no hurry to release it here.



5. As I read the others reviews - very accurated - and do not dare to say more about this " another-masterpiece " from the master Zhang Yimou.
   I will just say that I saw it at the movie. That I had one copy, that some friend borrowed and I could not ' not-have ' - one copy to review and review.
   No. I am using this chance to say that thanks to the cybernetics I can buy from the most serious and correct seller of this planet: I bought the dvd with an estimated delivery time of october 1st - and received it today, sept 18th !!! Perfect! Brand new! Hot! Crisp! That's Amazon !

5 comments about Pride Fighting Championships: Total Elimination 2005.

1. PRIDE or PRIDE Fighting Championships is the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world. It is based in Japan and currently promoted by Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE). Its inaugural event was held at the Tokyo Dome on October 11, 1997, promoted by Kakutougi Revolution Spirits (KRS). It is the most popular MMA organization in the world based on the number of event attendees: the PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 event had over 67,000 people in the audience. The audience record is 91,107 people on the PRIDE and K-1 co-production Shockwave/Dynamite, held in August 2002. It is considered to be the premiere MMA organization on the planet.
   
   Total Elimination 2005 is the 1st round of the PRIDE Middleweight(205lbs) Grand Prix. This tournament pitted 16 of the world's best 205lbs fighters against each other in order to determine who was the world's best.
   
   On paper, this 1st round looks like an MMA fan's wet dream come true. Every fight is between two top contenders and in a tournament of this magnitude, it was expected that this would be a 5-star fight card. Unfortunately, this was not so. Due to the relatively even skill level of each fighter, many of the bouts became stalemates rather than entertaining shootouts. With that said, there are some great fights on this card including the main event between Wanderlei Silva and Hidehiko Yoshida.
   
   Realistically, I should have given this event 3 stars. I bumped it up to 4 because the 2nd and Final Rounds of the Grand Prix are incredible(Critical Countdown and Final Conflict 2005) and this first round is good to have in order to substantiate your MMA collection.



2. The polish on this DVD is simply amazing. Everything looks just plain cool. The fights however, were not quite as amazing. If I were doing this review based on the fights alone, I would have given it 2 or 3 stars. Like I said though... the production of this DVD jacks the rating up to four stars. There are some interesting fights so it is not by any means a waste of time to watch. The next round of the tournament (critical countdown 2005) is where things REALLY start to get exciting.



3. In the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Pride Fighting Championship hails as the top organization in the world. It draws huge crowds and their fighters are top brass. Every year since it's reinstatement in 2003, Pride hosts a tournament covering 3 shows that is called the Grand Prix. In 2003, the Middleweight (205lb.) tournament dazzled fans in its excitement and spirit. In the end one man, Pride Middleweight Champion, Wanderlei Silva stood as the winner. Two years later Silva was back along with some new and familiar foes all trying to win the most impressive tournament. The first round of the Grand Prix was named "Total Elimination 2005" and left many eager for great match-ups, but unfortunately fell short of expectations for the most part.
   
   This installment of the Middleweight Grand Prix contained fighters from the same camps, risking fights between teammates. The Yoshida Dojo had two representatives: Hidehiko Yoshida himself and his protégé Kazuhiro Nakamura. Nakamura had come to his own, winning some pivotal encounters exhibiting the fighting spirit Yoshida himself has. His first round fight would be against a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Pride's "wildcard" fighter. Kevin Randleman at one time was at the top of the heavyweight division. Despite being a smaller heavyweight (210 pounds), Randleman made up for size with world-class wrestling skills incorporating blinding speed and strength. In Pride, his competition was stiffer and his record notes this clearly. He was a participant of the 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix where he shocked the MMA world by ko'ing Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. In this tournament his speed and size where keys to his backers confidence in his chances of winning the tournament. The Nakamura/Randleman fight set a tone for the evening, but a clear winner earned a rather boring decision.
   
   In the world of Grappling/Submission Fighting, the Abu Dabi show is the super bowl. That tournament fell in the same timeframe the Grand Prix took place. The problem was that two of its super fight participants were paired up in the first round of the Middleweight Grand Prix. Both Ricardo Arona and Dean Lister are very accomplished competitive submission grapplers, but in the first round of the Grand Prix, their striking would need to be exhibited to separate an even ground game. Ricardo Arona like all the other fighters has the Grand Prix as a goal, but personally his intentions are to somehow be pitted against current champion Wanderlei Silva. Their rivalry and verbal shots had reached boiling points within their respective camps (Brazilian Top Team and Chute Boxe). Arona though would need additional skills to counter his first round opponent. Dean Lister like Arona has ground skills envied by grapplers around the world. His MMA career was not as polished as Arona's, but was formidable. His last fight to qualify for the Grand Prix showed just how effective and precise his Jiu-Jitsu could be as he triangle-choked the scrappy veteran Akira Shoji. The battle between the world-class submission fighters was another tame performance lacking excitement on the ground or on the feet.
   
   Two true MMA veterans would be pitted against each other next, both fighters having more than 50 fights under their respective belts. Yuki Kondo has fought for nearly 10 years, but has been associated closely with the Pancrase organization for the better of those years. His battles against stiff competition are heralded, despite at times being the smaller fighter in these encounters. He mixes of good striking and ground game which rounds out a solid and respected game. His opponent has been feared by many for 10 years of fighting primarily for his heavy hands. Igor Vovchanchyn first began fighting in smaller shows and the 8-man old-school tournaments. He amassed an impressive 4 of these 8-man tournaments that were usually contested in one day. From these humble beginnings, Igor graduated to the big leagues when he signed to fight with Pride. Soon he established himself as the best fighter in the world leading up to the first Grand Prix tournament held in 2000. He managed to reach the finals, but fell short to a determined Mark Coleman. As a newly trim Middleweight, he instantly became a favorite to take the 2005 Grand Prix. The veterans fought a calculated fight almost respecting each others skills too much. A unanimous decision would decide the fate of these men.
   
   With the first three fights ending in decision, some pressure must have been received by the remaining fighters. As the official UFC representative, Vitor Belfort was eager to show his skills against Pride's best. Belfort was actually coming off two consecutive losses in the UFC against Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz. Thought both fighters are top at their weight classes, two consecutive losses was not exactly the spring Belfort needed. Belfort still though has super-fast hands and is a black belt in BJJ. His opposition was a different type of striker with recent impressive submission grappling success. Alistair Overeem surprised many in 2003's Grand Prix by going toe-to-toe with Chuck Liddell. He was back now, more experienced and just as eager. He recently qualified for the Abu Dabi Submission competition, winning all his matches via guillotine choke. This was a surprise too considering previously Overeem only seemed to rely on his kickboxing skills. The Belfort/Overeem fight would be quite even at first, but end in a surprising (but now routine) manner.
   
   The right hand from hell and its owner, Dan Henderson was up next vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Henderson was renowned for his wrestling skills in which he honed training with Team Quest. Team Quest featured an impressive list of competitors, but more notably UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture and Matt Linland. Henderson 's participation in the Grand Prix brought many problems to any competitor. Being the twin of former Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Lil' Nog) was use to being second in MMA exposure. His skills like his brothers are solid, but this Grand Prix would be an excellent opportunity to show the world about the other Nogueira. This match carried a nice groove and ended in a textbook manner.
   
   In Japan one fighter still is heads and shoulders the most popular, his name is Kazushi Sakuraba. Saku over the last few years has appeared to have slowed a bit, but is still crafty enough for a trick or two. His first round opponent would be "comfortably" picked for him. Korean Dong Sik Yoon was making his MMA debut in the Grand Prix having been a standout Judoka for many years. There was little to nothing known about his training, but he did decide on wearing a gi to battle. The biggest mismatch of the evening lived up to its billing.
   
   Quentin "Rampage" Jackson 's performance in the 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix was impressive. His run though ended via TKO against Chute Boxe's Wanderlei Silva. His return match against Silva ended in brutal fashion as he was KO' between the bottom two ropes. His tune-up fight before the 2005 Grand Prix would be against Chute Boxe's Murilo "Ninja" Rua in Pride 29. While having his had raised in victory after decision, many felt Ninja was the better fighter that night. After the fight, Ninja's younger brother Mauricio or "Shogun" challenged Rampage. Their fight would take place in the first round of the Grand Prix. Their battle would end with a broken rib and a broken man via TKO.
   
   Defending champion Wanderlei Silva was back and back to grab another Grand Prix to his 2003 effort. He was every other fighter's aim and he knew it. He stepped up his training and was keen on success. His opponent in the first round was a familiar one as it would be a fighter he faced and defeated in the 2003 Grand Prix. Hidehiko Yoshida was that common opponent, but common is not an adjective to use for this fighter. Yoshida truly exuded a fighter spirit many would aspire and his submission and throws were on par with the best. His 2003 Grand Prix run ended versus Silva, but he gained many who doubted him the respect he deserved. He took Silva the distance, with Silva having to win the third round to assure his advancement. Their rematch would go the full 3 rounds with a nice pace and action to go with it.
   
   All in all as mentioned earlier, a disappointing show considering the talent showcased. There appeared to be an overly conservative attitude most fighters adopted to assure their placement in the second round. Still, though the last couple of fights were solid.



4. I've tried time and again to get into Pride, but then another show like this comes along and kills what little faith I have in the organization. Every match, no matter if it's between two submission fighters or two sluggers, they all go the same way. Maybe a few punches thrown, nothing noteworthy landing, and then they fall on the ground and wiggle around for 3 rounds. Atrocious. Two fights on this card end inside the distance, and the rest go just like I described above. Do not, under any circumstances, be fooled by all the big names like I was. This event is boring and not worth your time and money. Although I know the Japanese crowds are always quiet during fights, it only makes the boredom of what's going on inside the ring that much worse. I've heard that Pride may be on its last legs. This probably has a lot to do with why.



5. the opening round of the light heavyweight tournament in 2005.
   a lot of reconized fighters such as wanderle silva quinton jackson,dean lister,dan henderson ,shogun rua exc.
   best fights:
   1)yoshida vs wanderlei silva 2)antonio rogeiro nogueira vs dan henderson 3)alistair overeem vs vitor belfort 4)igor vovchanchyn vs yuki kondo

2 comments about Ultimate Fighting Championship, Vol. 70: Nations Collide.

1. Overall, the UFC 70 fight card was pretty good, but the heavyweight main event, Mirko Cro Cop vs. Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga, particularly the finish, was awesome.
   
   Everyone knew that Cro Cop was the striker with devastating head kicks, and Gonzaga, a jiu jitsu black belt, was the ground-and-pound and submission fighter. However, nobody - and I mean NOBODY! - expected Gonzaga to take a page out of Cro Cop's book and BLAST the Croatian warrior with a head kick knockout in the final seconds of Round 1. Yet, that's exactly what happened: Gonzaga "Cro Cop'ed" Cro Cop! Seeing how Cro Cop's right knee and ankle bent hideously under the weight of his torso as he fell to the mat was also a sight to behold, as painful as it was to watch. I'm surprised he didn't snap every ligament and tendon in his right leg on the way down.
   
   Gonzaga will face Randy Couture for the Heavyweight belt at UFC 74: Respect, Saturday, August 25. But don't count out Cro Cop. He'll be back.



2. Let me start by saying that I am extremely happy with the producers for fixing the faux pas they committed in the previous event. The breaks between rounds, replays and interviews are back, making this once again a complete product. Now, in terms of the quality of the fights, except for a couple of disappointing bouts on the main card, this was an exceptional event.
   
   The under card fights are collectively the best I have seen among all the events so far. It looked more like something out of Ultimate Knockouts and Submissions than just your normal preliminary fights. These confrontations had it all, incredible slugfests, nice submissions, and maybe more importantly, athletes that came into the ring wanting to leave everything in their effort to succeed. Sadly, not all the bouts in the main card had these characteristics. Arlovsky vs. Werdum was the most disappointing fight of the night, which almost put me to sleep. I got the impressions that these guys were more worried about not getting hurt than about winning, which is surprising, especially coming from the ex-champion. Kongo vs. Silva was the other match-up that lacked excitement, but this was caused by the lack of skill of the contenders, Kongo having no ground game and Silva poor stand-up.
   
   Luckily, the rest of the fights were outstanding. In Heath vs. Machida you can watch one of the most versatile and unconventional competitors in the UFC against a guy that has a will of steel. Bisping vs. Sinosic is such an intense bout that you can feel the electricity jumping off the screen. Finally, the main event of the evening is one of the best I have ever seen. With the meanest kicker in the game against a master at submissions, this fight was likely to go to the one that covered his weaknesses better. If you are not left speechless by the conclusion, I would be surprised. Overall, this is a high quality event that I recommend wholeheartedly.

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!