5 comments about Naked Killer.

1. Okay, there have been a lot of different DVD editions released, so be sure what you're getting.
   
   The theatrical version ran about 88 minutes, has a rather comically censored audio track in one scene, and can rightfully (technically) be called "uncut." The "director's cut" runs about 93 minutes and does not have bleeps on the audio track in the scene in which Tinam's partner eats the penis. In-between is a version that includes some of the extra footage, but not all of it. (Some sapphic nuzzling between Sister Cindy and Kitty in the training sequence.)
   
   Avoid at all costs the dubbed and censored FOX release. This version was heavily cut to get an R rating, which, of course, bites. Any version of 'Naked Killer' that skimps on the nakedness or the killing is to be vigorously spat upon. Shame on you guys! I'd like to hire Carrie Ng to explode your you-know-what.
   
   I haven't seen any of the Tai Seng editions. I know that they have released an English dubbed version (yuck!) - but, if there's a widescreen Chinese version available, that might be the best you're going to find on Amazon right now.
   
   Media Asia/Megastar's disc is pretty darn good, and I believe this is the director's cut! It has an uncensored audio track and quite a bit of footage that wasn't in the theatrical cut. If you can find it, this is the one to get. I believe Amazon has it, but the releasing company is mistakenly given as Tai Seng. Look for the title in large, yellow, vertical Chinese characters on the right hand side of the cover with a smaller English title just above that. I have read that this is out of print - so grab it if you see it!
   
   Mei Ah's theatrical version disc sucks in terms of quality - but I'm keeping mine because it preserves the hilarious subtitles that were such a big part of the theatrical experience (when you can see them, anyway).
   
   As for the film itself - If you haven't seen it thirty times already, what are you waiting for? This is the greatest of the killer-babe classics alongside Russ Meyer's immortal 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' (And, no, I'm not forgetting 'Kill Bill,' I just don't think it rates better than 'OK' when you've seen a lot of the kind of movies it was cribbing from - movies you have to get out and look hard for, because they aren't going to fall into your lap at your local multiplex.) This one consistently packed the house for a decade of return engagements in my area (sometimes at midnight, sometimes as the co-feature of such fare as 'Chinese Torture Chamber Story') before scoring a week-long engagement at the local art-house(?!) - so it is a tried and true crowd-pleaser. Highlights include a high-rise mini-holocaust that must be seen to be believed, all-girl action in a bloody swimming pool (okay, there was a guy in there, but he was dead and his unit had been removed), a cop who pukes every time he holds a gun, CARRIE NG(!!!), wall to wall sex and violence, amazing dialogue... I could go on and on. Suffice to say, if you like lots of action (both kinds) you won't feel cheated.
   
   A treasure.



2. I rented "Naked Killer" after I read that it had been called the definitive Hong Kong action picture in some circles. While it certainly has the stuff to be in the top ten (car crashes, shootings, stunts galore), John Woo's "Hard Boiled" still tops the list for me. "Naked Killer" probably belongs in a genre all its own.
   
   I didn't know what to expect from "Naked Killer"; the title, I have to say, is a much more apt description of the movie than I first suspected. There are certain aspects that are traditional fare, but then there are the beheadings, the icepicks shoved into crotches and the soft-core nookie scenes.
   
   The plot (such as it is) concerns a feisty girl named Kitty (Chingmy Yau), who joins a group of lesbian assassins who come up with some rather creative ways of killing the men of Hong Kong. I'm still fuzzy on how they pick their victims (Are the men rapists? Criminals in general? Or - I shudder to think - are they targeted simply because they're men?), but such questions are kind of moot in cases like "Naked Killer". The point is the stuff, not the story, and there's plenty of stuff. The shoot-outs and chases are not quite on a par with John Woo, but they're immensely entertaining, more so than most of the lame flicks that pass for "thrillers" in the U.S. In addition, there are some absolutely grotesque sight gags, most of which would never have made it past American censors: kicking and stabbing of private parts, gory decapitations and one particular sequence involving a murdered victim's severed reproductive organ that simply has to be seen to be believed. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I've developed a real aversion to polish sausage since I saw this picture.
   
   My personal favorite thing in the movie is Chingmy Yau, who is pretty much the sexiest thang I've ever seen in a movie. Forget Denise Richards, Jennifer Lopez, etc. All mere amateurs compared to Yau, a profoundly dazzling creature who sports beautiful, expressive eyes and lips that go on for days (Angelina Jolie would be green with envy). It also helps that Yau spends most of the movie wearing a variety of skimpy outfits. Call me a pig if you wish, but the heart wants what it wants. I'm usually given to awarding an extra star to a movie if I'm particularly impressed with a certain performer, and Yau has earned it.
   
   So, should you see it? Yes, if you're not easily overcome by graphic violence and erotica of both the lesbian and straight varieties. It helps if you're already familiar with campy Hong Kong flicks and like your plots simple and your dialogue generously peppered with some real howlers (...). If you're offended by any of the elements I've mentioned, read this carefully: STAY AWAY FROM "NAKED KILLER" AT ALL COSTS. You may consider this a public service announcement.
   
   And if Chingmy Yau ever decides to quit making movies, it'll be a sad day in the world of cinema.



3. 1992 Hong Kong Erotic Thriller. Rated R for strong sexuality, violence and language. Caution: contains brief nudity (the opening credits), and the movie is very violent and bloody. Something of a romance. Also known as Chiklo gouyeung and Chi luo gao yang. The producer mentions a "Naked Weapon," saying that it had been intended as a sequel, but ended up a different movie with different actors and director.
   
   DVD Features: Along with the movie, which can be heard in English or Cantonese, or read in English or Chinese, the DVD contains special features and trailers. There are seven trailers on the DVD (other than this film's trailers) and which include: Magnificent Warriors (rated R; war film, Japanese invade; stars Michelle Yeoh; trailer in English), City Hunter (PG-13; Jackie Chan film; other than humor and fighting, can't tell what the movie is about; trailer in English), Magnificent Butcher (PG-13; Sammo Hung; Action director: Yuen Woo Ping), Hong Kong 1941 (rated R; Chow Yung-Fat; Japan invades Hong Kong, resistance movie), Heart of Dragon (rated R; 30 yrs old, limited intelligence, "great detective" takes care of him; Sammo Hung, Jackie Chan), Kiss of the Dragon (rated R; Jet Li is a spy, also includes Bridget Fonda), and The Transporter (PG-13; in Euro-accented English). The Special Features include: this film's Trailers (two, an original (which has scenes in it I don't recognize being in the movie) and a new trailer (which is in English and doesn't have scenes in it I don't recognize)), Photo Galleries (two, one for the film (even the photo gallery has pictures of a scene not in the movie, maybe its my DVD, cutting out that type of thing for me), and one for the "beauties" of Hong Kong (very long slide show set to music)), Interviews (3 separate interviews with the producer (who speaks in English), director (in English; mentions nude scenes, seriously, what's wrong with my DVD, why do I only see nudity in the opening credits?), and one of the stars: Simon Yam (in English)), Promotional Materials (posters and still photos) and Production Notes (synopsis, cast and crew notes).
   
   Credits: Starring: Chingmy Yau (Kitty; "Return to a Better Tomorrow"), Wai Yiu (Cindy; "The Flower Floating on the Sea"), Simon Yam (Tinam/Tom; "Once Upon A Time A Hero in China"; "Tomb Raider 2"), Carrie Ng (Princess; "Best of the Best"), and Madoka Sugawara (Baby). Written by: Wong Jing ("Naked Weapon") and Directed by: Clarence Fok Yiu Leung ("Century of the Dragon").
   
   Plot: Hong Kong Detective Tinman (also known as Tom) is investigating a series of murders in Hong Kong that he believes are related and committed by a female assassin (he notes his suspicions but they are initially not believed to be likely, namely because his brother has been killed, and the nature of the deaths). Meanwhile, Tom has started a "relationship" with Kitty, a woman that is rather rough on the male population, and later revenges her father's death (which was pretty much an accident). Due to her actions, Kitty is now on the run from the police and organized crime, but is helped by a hit woman named Cindy (who teaches her how to become a better killer, using any weapon on hand or using her body). Cindy had another student before Kitty, and this student (Princess) and her female lover have targeted Cindy and Kitty for death.
   
   Review: Interesting opening credits, and it certainly says something about the rest of the film that it includes nudity (though the fact that the first scene involves a naked hit woman taking out a man, but without anything "good" visible, also says something). A rather professional looking movie, but the dubbing is not the best (though, oddly enough, unlike some Asian movies I've seen, the spoken words and the written words actually match, for the most part). Though having the hit women twirl her loaded gun is strange and not professional looking.
   
   A rather interesting and good movie, that is actually erotic, unlike many of the "erotic thrillers" out there. Oh, and it also appears to be an overall better film than most "erotic thrillers." On the other hand, there is a lot less nudity than I would expect (for the most part, none, the opening credits lie; maybe the US version of the film had the nudity edited out).
   
   The movie has a connection with movies like "House of Flying Daggers," and "Romeo and Juliet," in that all three movies involve people who become romantically linked but work (or are otherwise members of) for different factions in a feud (here, criminal/police).
   
   The plot is kind of rambling along, almost seeming to have little point. The acting is difficult to determine due to the nature of the dubbing and my not speaking the language the film was originally filmed in. Despite that handicap, I believe that the acting was good (every actor; I hadn't seen any of these actors before and I am interested in catching some more of their films). Overall, I would rate the film 4.22 stars.



4. Rent don't buy. There are some truly sick scenes that I thoroughly enjoyed, but they were few and far between.



5. "Naked Killer" is an outrageously trashy yet derivative Hong Kong action-thriller for the "Basic Instinct" crowd. The movie has its legion of admirers, but this sort of kinetic mayhem was better served by filmmakers such as John Woo and Tsui Hark. Caveat emptor!

5 comments about Fist of the North Star Volume 1.

1. Fist of the North Star is so unbelievably retardation-inducing it's hilarious. In that sense, and that sense alone, it is entertaining. But...my God, I don't even know where to begin in critiquing that show. So I'll just say the first couple of things that enter my mind. That girl, Lynn, is the most absurdly high-pitched annoyance out of all the main female characters - everytime I hear her say "Ken!, my ears feel like Kenshiro himself has punctured them. She serves as a perpetual reminder of why I converted to manga in the first place (lack of painful audio). I swear, she and the other kid must have only been put in the series to mock other anime children. Julia is not beautiful, just annoying. It's as pathetically simplistic as an NES game, but without the nostalgic or warm feelings. The artwork is horrendous.
   
   This anime makes the Mortal Kombat movies look like martial arts masterpieces and Ranma 1/2 look serious.
   
   As for the rest of the critique, I think it would be best for me to simply transcribe the gorgeously non-cliched script:
   You're already dead!
   You're already dead!
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   YURIAAAAA (Julia) !
   HELL HELL HELL!
   Pressure point attack!
   Pressure point attack!
   Pressure point attack!
   Love me Julia, love me! LOVE ME!
   Evil bad people disturb our village!
   Evil bad people disturb out village!
   
   Sorry for the spam, but I figured some would enjoy it, since some enjoy the show.



2. This without a doubt one of the best anime's ever. The story is great and the action scenes is some of the best I ever seen and I been watchin anime for years. But these prices is insane. This movie is not worth 80 bucks. I know websites to find this for at least 9.95 but if I wrote it down, then these price gougin' goofs would probably buy all the s*** up and sell'em for these wacked out prices. This movie is awesome but you can find it cheaper.
   Well I go ahead and hopefully give a helpful review. Fist of the northstar takes place during post apocalyptic time on earth where food and water is scarce. There's armies fighting for the best land and survival. The main character Ken delivers final justice to those who oppress the weak. The fighting scenes are possibly the best you will ever see. I highly recommend this movie but not for the price these goofs is chargin'.



3. The reviews for this item are about the LIVE ACTION FILM and not Volume 5 of the TV series Fist Of The North Star derived from the serialized strip and manga of the same name. This review is ACTUALLY about Fist Of The North Star Volume 5 which contains episodes 29-36 in the 1984 Toei Animation series.
   
   The 5th DVD in this collection follows the Fang Clan/Toki storyline of the series. Ken is the Heir Of Hokuto Shinken, the LONE practioner/possessor of the power of the School Of The Great Bear. This series is an offshoot of the manga. Those of you that saw the ANIME FILM FIRST WILL BE CONFUSED AS HELL BY THE SERIES!
   
   The film came TWO YEARS AFTER THE TV SERIES WAS PRODUCED. In the film Julia/Yulia/Yuria lives. In the manga/series she dies. In the film Rei dies. In the manga/series he lives. Raoh DOES NOT MAKE AN APPEARANCE IN THE SERIES...HE IS SHOWN AND MENTIONED BUT IS NEVER ENCOUNTERED. Toki appears (sort of) in the series/manga BUT NOT IN THE MOVIE...HE IS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED!
   Bart (or Bat as he's known in the manga) and Lynne are with Ken throughout the 36 episodes, as are a few friends that end up dead and finish with Mamiya, the warrior woman. At the end of the series, you realize that it was made so that ANOTHER 36 EPISODES WERE FORTHCOMING...IT NEVER HAPPENED. I'll fill you in on what comes next (hint: The New Fist Of The North Star and Movie explained it).
   
   Ken hunts for Toki, he runs into Raoh's minions and beats them all with Mamiya, Rei, Bart and Lynne in tow. He never finds Toki. Mamiya dies. Rei dies. He fights Raoh and beats him. Raoh sees he was wrong and pays respect to Ryuken's grave. He comes back and Ken becomes his advisor/counselor. Raoh has a son. Ken agrees to teach Raoh's son since he is the only heir to Hokuto Shinken. Ken leaves AGAIN to find Toki....he ends up in The New Fist Of The North Star. Confused? Of course you are! If you're not a fan of the series and need closure on how the quest pans out then don't bother yourself. If you are then you better try looking on the internet for all of the Fist stories you can find. One.



4. You have to get the original movie version, not the new or old series. This film kicks so much ass, it's an apocalyptic kung-fu movie about fighting for good instead of wasting what is left of the earth on oppression and power over others with brute force and fear. The sons of a martial arts master have all grown powerful beyond belief, and when an old friend of Ken, the youngest and noblest son, decides to demand Ken's woman out of jealousy, The Fist of the Northstar (Ken) is defeated and all of the brothers start seizing power in their own barren lands, and starts the twisted fate of the revitalisation of the Earth.
   
   The anime series (both of them) and the original movie remake can't possibly compare at all with the greatness of the ORION japanimation movie, the whole movie has a point and uses kung-fu and love to make an interesting story about doing what's right in a new dark age of man, eventually giving hope for the fate of a better future.



5. In a post-nuclear future world where water and food are scarce and nothing seems to grow from the earth, those who are strongest rule. One such man is called Kenshiro, and he is the successor of the Hokuto Shinken fighting style which uses pressure points to destroy the opponent's body from within. When Ken's woman is stolen from him by his former friend, he is left for dead and his older brothers each attempt to replace him as the new Fist of the North Star. Ken is not dead, however, and returns stronger than ever. He journeys to reclaim his lost love, fighting evil gangs along the way and picking up two young sidekicks, a boy named Bart and a special little girl named Lynn. Through his quest, he is forced to do battle with his old friend and both of his brothers in an effort to defeat those who would prevent rebirth in the radiation ravaged world.
   
   Playing out much like a spaghetti western or grindhouse flick, "Fist of the North Star" is rather entertaining in terms of action, violence, and gore. Plenty of heads explode, and superhuman strength and size seems to abound in the future. The story is rather simple, and yet the film leaves the viewers with some questions in the end about certain key characters disappearing or having out-of-nowhere changes of heart. Overall, I'd say this is worth seeing if you like grindhouse type revenge films or martial arts focused Anime, and it's definitely an important film to see for animation fans. I'm not a big fan of this particular style of Anime (I tend to prefer the cleaner looking types with lots of cute, big-eyed girls in short skirts), but this is one of the first Anime features to be a hit in the U.S. (dubbed into English in 1991), making it historically significant to the fan of film and animation. The film was originally released in 1986, and before that it was a TV series and a manga. A live-action movie and other productions have been made since. The U.S. VHS release, by the way, contains the true original ending, though some mistakenly believe the other ending is the original.

1 comments about Girl Boss Revenge.

1. I'd probably give this one 3 1/2 stars if I could, but I rounded up to four because I get a big kick out of this type of movie. This is the fourth entry in Toei's "Sukeban" series and the last directed by Norifumi Suzuki. If you dig Suzuki's "Pinky Violence" formula, you'll dig this one.
   
   Amazon's little blurb pretty much give you the basics. Four escaped delinquent girls, led by Kanto Komasa (Miki Sugimoto) try to make their way in Osaka. Quickly getting into the bad graces of the local yakuza, Komasa and her "Gypsies" then butt heads with a school girl gang led by Maya (Reiko Ike) and a yakuza backed girl gang led by Ryoko (Ryoko Ema). Yup, lots of fighting. Various forms of torture (poor Emi Jo- having her blood drained and being thrown off the roof in "Lynch Law Classroom" was cake compared to this. God knows what she endures in "Shoguns Sadism"!?!). Vehicle chase. Stabbing and shooting. Explosions. Gambling. Cussing (kunero, keeksheeo, hey I speak Japanese!). Kidnapping. Rape. Blood is shed. People die. Revenge and more revenge. Tears. And, comedy!
   
   Okay, this is an exploitation film. Lots of stuff happens because the director thinks we will enjoy it. There are plot "skips" (as opposed to holes). It's up to us to fill the gaps with our love of the genre. If you want to see Miki topless and beaten with a stick, you'll just have to believe that the bad guys knew exactly where to find her and that she doesn't lock her doors. No problem. And as for why they are beating her, well, it could happen, in a movie. So what if Billy Wilder is turning in his grave. Hell, maybe he'd enjoy seeing Reiko Ike kicking butt in a mini skirt and blue panties as much as we do? Anyway, this is not real life and you wont learn anything from it.
   
   Thankfully, Norifumi Suzuki's spot of comedy in this film is less shrill than usual and even humorously self-depreciating. Could we live without it? Sure, but like uncle Hank's "pull my thumb" joke every year at Thanksgiving, we put up with it because we love turkey.
   
   Oh yea, it's a nice print. Maybe B+, pretty decent for such an old film. The extras are O.K. There is a 14 minute interview with Norifumi Suzuki that is pretty cool. Nice to hear (that is, read subtitles of) some of his thoughts. A few trailers for other movies- Delinquent Girl Boss: Blossoming Night Dreams, Rica 3 ("Speed! Thrills!" looks great!), two nasty nun movies, and a modern promo spot for this film. Nice photo gallery. No commentary by people telling us how we should enjoy the movie or telling us the history of the old fart actors in yakuza films. No commentary.
   
   Hey Media Blasters! Thanks! I want more!

5 comments about Qigong Massage (YMAA Chi Kung) DVD.

1. I have waited for this DVD for years, and it is so much better than I ever expected! I own both of the VHS that are included on this DVD: Qigong Self-Massage and Qigong Partner Massage. But, this DVD starts with an additional half-hour video which explains Qigong from the beginning, with detailed animations showing Qi circulating in the body, and explaining the entire Qi circulatory system (vessels, meridians, and acupoints).
   
   Then the video moves into a complete demonstration of Self-Massage techniques for the entire body, shown by a youthful Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming.
   
   Next, we see Master Yang instructing Partner Massage on a student, with great detail, including excellent tips for novice massage therapists.
   
   After this 3-hour video is over, you can then sit and watch a very pleasant 'Glossary' of Chinese/English Qigong Massage terminology, which moves at a very comfortable pace for reading, and has beautiful Chinese classical music.
   
   You cannot come away from this program without learning more than you thought possible in a single sitting. (in fact, it took me two days to see all of the contents of this DVD.)
   
   Following THAT, there's still about 30 minutes of Video previews of all the other YMAA instructional videos!
   
   There is also an 'interactive YMAA catalog' which shows all of the books/VHS/DVDs available, with contact info for YMAA Publications.
   
   The content is really unparalleled - this is an excellent learning tool. I hope Master Yang continues to share his knowledge on the subject of massage.
   
   The DVD production is excellent quality, with detailed navigation to every single part of the program in just 2 or 3 clicks.
   
   Highly recommended!



2. Great DVD which explains the Chinese view of the body as both a physical body, and a Qi energetic body. It goes on to explain what Qi energy is, how it functions in the body, and how we can influence it with Qigong and Massage. Its very clear and straight-forward, and uses current American science to explain these ancient Chinese concepts. The quality is excellent. I can't say enough good things about this DVD, even if your not interested in massage, this has something fascinating to learn...



3. I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 only because I don't believe in five star reviews.
   
   This DVD is really good. Yes, it could be better structured or sometimes more detailed (I guess you will find the details in the QiGong Massage book), but believe me, you will still benefit a lot, even if you will learn at least one single technique of hundreds demonstrated in the video.
   
   More than one year ago I started using a simpler method that I learned from Dr. Yang's Taiji book. It worked very well: I'm more relaxed, sleep better, have more energy than ever even with 5-6 hours of sleep. That's why I decided to do the massage every day.
   
   Then I added a few new moves from this new DVD and it works even better !



4. The amount of information on this DVD is incredible. This is a very complete and thorough introduction to Qigong Massage. I'm sure many people will watch this DVD and beg to differ with my calling it an introduction, as the amount of information on the DVD can occupy a viewer for years.
   
   Prior to any information on massage, the viewer is treated to a lengthy explanation of Qigong, breathing and the various methods that can enable the viewer to carry out the numerous techniques on this video. the introduction is very well thought out and is helpful to beginners and experienced practicioners.
   
   Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming explains how to use your breath to switch between yin and yang and how to balance the yin and yang in your body. Massage techniques that can bring the Qi to the extremities or send the Qi to the bones are shown and the differences explained. The video uses extensive and professionally produced animation to demonstrate various points and techniques. As always, the production quality of the video is up to the high standards that Dr. Yang has set over the years.
   
   Dr. Yang presents Qigong Massage techniques for two people as well as a section on self massage. Both sections are explained and demonstrated by Dr. Yang and an assistant. This is not one of those simple instructional videos where you watch it once and you've got it. This DVD can easily challenge a serious student and offers enough information to the viewer that they will be in no rush for Qigong Massage Part 2 (if there is one), as they can spend years practicing and becoming natural in their use of the techniques taught on the video.
   
   This instructional video is for everyone, not just massage students. Anyone practicing martial arts, sports or just sitting around watching the boob tube can benefit from the information offered on this DVD.



5. I WATCHED SEVERAL TIMES,STILL FIGURE IT OUT WHAT THIS IS I'M WATCHING. TO MY CONFUSION IS THAT QIGOING MASSAGE IS COMBINATION OF QI PLUS TUI-NA,BUT IT SEEMS NONE OF THAT DEMONSTRATED CLEARLY.

1 comments about Challenge (2005).

1. this is awesome german martial art movie.the stick fighting was the best good script and good actorsand a ho lot of action and just a little bit humor i would watch this movie over and over it that good

5 comments about District B13 [HD DVD].

1. For anybody looking for a good martial arts with mix of gun blazing and incredible stunts, this movie will offer all the ingredients. The PQ is top notch and AQ is almost as good as the video. This movie should be in your list if your looking for a good action film with a twist of futuristic setting.



2. This movie caught me by suprise. It's great! I only wish that the blu ray disc version used subtitles and was not dubbed.



3. This movie does NOT have the best story line or dialog. Point-blank the only real reason to watch this movie is to see a wonderful display of Parkour (also known as Freestyle Running/Walking. Google it).
   
   PLOT: in the future cities get worse, blah blah blah. The worst section is known as District B13. One of the main characters Leito, is from District B13. He gets sent to prison for killing a man. Later on he tries to save his sister with the conditional help of the other main character (and founder of Parkour) who's using him to help find and defuse a bomb that is supposed to be somewhere in the district. I'm not using names because they're not important.
   
   once again, the ONLY reason to watch this movie is because of the incredible no-wire stunts that they do. some serious don't-try-this-at-home jumps, flips, and fighting. If you've seen Die Hard with a Vengeance, the founder of Parkour is the white-blond haired guy who's jumping around the pipes when Bruce Willis is in the ventilation system. the one that Bruce calls a G-d monkey. This movie is seriously worth watching if you love a good action scene that involves incredible stunt work without the use of wires. think: Jackie Chan on speed, and you might get an idea of what goes on.



4. I liked the action in the movie. the stunts are very good and the fighting is good. I imagine I will hear more about the man who plays the cop.



5. I rented this movie after reading many praises for the stunts. It's called "parkour". It's a kind of free style jumping over any obstacles such as walls, fences, stones, etc. Yes, they look good but after 30 minutes of seeing the same stuff again and again, it's boring. Jackie Chan's stunts are different and much more engaging.
   
   The main problem of this movie is the acting. It's amateurish. For example, when a guy hit another person, I can see it's obviously fake!
   
   The plot is typical of this kind of genre.
   
   No wonder this DVD did not make much money in North Ameria. It might worth watching once for curiosity.

3 comments about Wu-Tang Clan Shaolin Style Collection, Vol. 16: 10 Tigers of Shaolin.

1. There aren't many name actors in TEN TIGERS OF SHAOLIN (1979), but the performers are all quite good and the fights well staged, culminating in a final battle that takes up the last 25 minutes of an 85-minute film and involves at least two dozen principal players fighting with fists, feet, sticks, knives and swords in an open field.
   
   The lead actor is Bruce Leung, who has fortunately been rediscovered thanks to Stephen Chow's KUNG FU HUSTLE, in which he plays an institutionalized kung fu master known as "the Beast," who is broken out of an asylum to fight the hidden masters of Pig Sty Alley. Leung was quite a busy actor and fight director in the good ol' days of old-school kung fu and it was the 2005 release of KUNG FU HUSTLE which inspired me to seek out his earlier films. In TEN TIGERS, he's one of the title group of kung fu fighters and gets to battle early and often, starting with the opening fight sequence. There are other familiar faces in the solid kung fu cast, although the only other "name" player is Jason Pai Piao (HELL'S WINDSTAFF, SHAOLIN RESCUERS).
   
   The simple plot has to do with the Ten Tigers running afoul of a corrupt official who, at various points, kidnaps one or another of the Ten Tigers' women, prompting a series of escalating encounters culminating in the huge brawl at the end. The action is frequent and furious and certain to please hardcore kung fu fans. And it is a pleasant surprise to see the earlier work of one of the key performers from KUNG FU HUSTLE.
   
   Ground Zero's DVD of TEN TIGERS boasts print quality and a video transfer that are much better than average for this company.



2. AKA 10 Tigers Of Kwangtung.
   
   What I have noticed about this flick,,,it has several names. The original name for this flick is " 10 tigers From Kwangtung",(SEE DETAILS IN GOOGLE.COM) "10 Tigers From Kwingtung",AKA "10 Tigers from shaolin". When this movie was reviewed under the original name," 10 tigers From Kwangtung",it got a 5 star, and when reviewed under the name "10 Tigers from Shaolin",,it only got 3 stars. Now this is a little disconcerting to me as it appears most people, SO CALLED KUNG FU LOVERS tend grade or rate movies, based on what others have to say! That is extremely sad I think, since I usually buy kung fu movies based on my Amazon colleagues!! THIS MOVIE OVER-ALL WAS AMAZING, and deserve nothing less than 5 stars. I recommend it highly!! So those who graded it 3 Stars, are all IDIOTS AND FOLLOWERS,,,,,,I never liked followers, they usually make me ill!!!



3. Not really much of a story here. Basically the Ten Tigers help the common people battle evil kung fu masters. Among the cast of the Ten Tigers are Bruce Leung Siu Lung, Jason Pai Paio, Lau Hok Nin, Han Kwok Choi, Larry Lee and Wong Yuen San. The villains include San Kuai, Charlie Chan and Kong Do. All of the fights are good, and the last 25 minutes is literally nonstop action. I am a big Bruce Leung fan and this is definitely one of his best movies.
   
   4/5
   
   Picture quality is decent and its partly widescreen.

5 comments about Once Upon a Time in China Trilogy.

1. This is a classic trilogy for fans of Jet Li and/or period Kung Fu. Jet Li is 'wong fei hong', a legend in China. As is common for this genre, there's quite a bit of slapstick humor in the first movie. The second and third movie may seem better if you're not so into the clowning around. As usual, Jet Li's kung fu is truly impressive, although the wired choreography is a little annoying at times.
   
   All in all, well worthwhile for anyone interested in (period) kung fu movies or simply admiring Jet Li's talent!



2. Be warned that this transfer is so blurry and bad that I couldn't imagine anything being worse. It looks like a bootleg and it was so bad I couldn't even finish watching the first movie...



3. The items I purchased were in excellant condition. Recommend buying from this seller in the future.



4. First off, buy the "Once Upon a Time in China" Trilogy, not Collection. Collection has far more technical issues than the Trilogy. Unfortunately, since Amazon groups all of its reviews, there's confusion as to which version is being referred to.
   
   Second, there are 6 movies in this series. The first 3 are the ones to focus on (and the ones sold in this package). 4 and 5 don't star Jet Li. Number 6 (Once Upon a Time in China and America) stars Jet Li, but has a different director (Sammo Hung) than 1-3 did (Tsui Hark, HK's Spielberg-some would argue) and is, at best, mediocre.
   
   The OUATIC series is about the adventures of Wong Fei Hung, a Chinese folk hero. This character pops up a lot (as a child in Iron Monkey, Jackie Chan's character in the Drunken Master series). Each portrayal is very different and most aren't based but on the slightest detail to the actual historical character. But that aside, here's what the movies are really about:
   
   Yes, Jet Li's character struggles with a HK overrun with British Imperialists and the woman who loves him and all the drama that follows and. . .honestly, no one really cares. The story is an odd mix. When there aren't action sequences, much of the story plays out like a routine period piece. The story is decent and worth a look, but subsequent viewings will have you simply skipping ahead to the action sequences because. . .
   
   . . .these are simply the best collection of HK/Kung Fu/Wire Fu fight sequences you will ever find. You have an actor at the top of his kung fu game with choreographers who are given a lot of freedom and creativity to use the actors talents, all captured by a director at the peak of his powers. These fight sequences are the stuff of legend, the yardstick that all kung fu fights are measured against. Not to take anything away from other flicks of Jet's like Fist of Legend or Fong Sai Yuk, but these are the best. And to get them all in one package for such a cheap price is nothing short of criminal. I paid a small fortune to get these three films from HK before this version was released.
   
   You'll see some of the most innovative and intense wirework, skill, and choreography you've ever witnessed, stuff that makes the Matrix look tame by comparison, despite coming out years before the Wachowski's ever put word 1 to paper. Every scenario you can imagine is captured, Jet vs. 1, Jet vs. some, Jet vs many, Jet with weapons, Jet with bare hands, Jet with props=like an ubrella, Jet vs. flaming arrows, Jet vs. boss characters in the most insane environments you can imagine. I can't stress it enough, this is as good as it gets. Even skipping over the story, the fight scenes will entertain you and your next several generations long after you're gone. Simple as that. If you're into Kung Fu flicks and somehow have slept on this one, just buy it.



5. This is a bit of a renaissance-man-film, if one can say that. It does a lot of things simultaneously. Firstly, it is a great kung fu flick, with some of the best names in the buisness including of course Jet Li, the inimitable Yuen Biao as well as Yuen Wo Ping of later Matrix fame. Secondly, it is a big, well told drama about doctor Wong Fei Hong, a real life character and something of a Chinese folk hero, and the modernisation/changing of Imperial China some hundred and a bit years ago. If you took away the fighting, it would still be a good film, a very rare thing with martial arts films. Thirdly, it is a great opportunity to see how the Chinese themselves (if "only" the Hong Kong Chinese) look upon their own history and their own heroes. That particular time in Chinese history, in which "Once Upon a Time in China" plays out, is not only tumultuous and chaotic, but the actual transitional period between imperial and repulican China.
   
   It is well acted, wonderfully directed, beautifully scored, and a blast to watch. Definitely one of the best films ever to come out of Hong Kong.

5 comments about Muay Thai #1.

1. This dvd is the first in a series of 4 and contains all the basics of muay thai, from footwork to punching and elbow techniques. It is well presented and demonstrates the techniques clearly. This dvd acts well as a starting point and is excellent for beginners. More advanced students of muay thai will know most of these techniques, however it is still worth buying for the excellent presentation of techniques with the focus on correct footwork.



2. I have never seen a tape so well presented. Each of the basic techniques were shown going forward and backwards to and from the camera and from left to right and back again. Thus, you can see each technique from the front and from the side.
   
   Mr. Janjira put a lot of effort into these lessons so even an old "tard" like me can learn and absorb the techniques. He shows the basic stance and hand/arm positions and shows how to maintain them as you move around the ring. He then demonstrates the jab, cross, uppercut and elbow techniques thrown in three variations (angles)- uppercut, horizontal and diagonally downwards. He continually adds valuable tips during each presentation which greatly adds to understanding the movement.
   
   There is only one negative factor - loud sounds caused interference in the video. They must have used a cheap microphone or had the gain too high and drove their amp into saturation. The rest of the tape was so good that I soon learned to ignore the interference.
   
   A word to younger readers. Fights are won with basics - not with flashy techniques. Showboating only works in the movies. In the streets "flash" will get you beaten.
   
   Muhammed Ali only had four techniques: a left jab, a left hook, a right cross and an uppercut. What made him better than the rest is that he did them to perfection with proper timing.
   
   Another fighter, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace mentions on his tape series that he only used four techniques in winning all his fights. He had two hand and two leg techniques: a left jab, a left hook, a left side kick and a left roundhouse kick. But, he performed them to perfection.
   
   So, young readers, what is it going to be? Master a few techniques and win fights or learn dozens of flashy or "secret" techniques and get your a** handed to you in a "real" fight. But, you will look "good" as everyone is laughing at you when you get planted on your [...].



3. This DVD contains very basic of Muay Thai punches and elbows. If you have to be learning this level of fighting on a DVD you probably shouldn't be doing this art. I fast forewarded most of it.



4. This DVD presents the basics of Muay Thai punching and footwork. This is a great supplement to my training library. I learned a lot from this DVD. You will need Muay Thai #2 to learn how to kick and use your knees.



5. The negative reviews of these videos are daydreaming. There are no secrets besides the little known tips of doing the basics more effectively. That's what this tape contains.
   
   There are no secret techniques, just DETAILS that make the basics work better. If people were hoping for some kind of secret new technique, they are not going to find it here. What they will find will be some of the best exposition on Muay Thai I have ever seen in a video series.

3 comments about Myths and Logic of Shaolin Kung Fu.

1. One of the best documentaries I have seen on the shaolin temple and the shaolin life style. This documentary touches on the art of kung fu as well as chi gung and chi. Great DVD.



2. Suitable for viewing by beginners and advanced martial artists alike. The producers definitely got a look inside the temple and the training that goes on there -- a look that is rarely given to outsiders. While this well-produced documentary gives a brief and skimpy outline of the history of Shaolin & martial arts in China, what it does best is show what the current state of training is like at the temple. Typically, boys enter the temple training at age 4 or 5 and within 5 years of training (at the most flexible, adaptable age) are already incredibly skilled. Also clear is the Chinese professional sports approach -- also adopted in their olympic and other sports programs -- of starting with thousands of applicants and winnowing it down to the best performers. From this DVD you get a good look at basic training, and could even try to learn some of the basic forms (which are presented VERY quickly) of Shaolin, which are difficult to find from authentic sources elsewhere. Fun to watch, well done, and a good martial arts documentary.



3. This is a rather amateurish documentary wherein the 50-minute running time is filled out by repeatedly showing the same footage over and over. Some of the footage is impressive, but you will not learn much about Shaolin from watching. I would say there is about 30 minutes of footage, which is dragged out to a 50-minute film by showing the exact same demonstrations over and over ad nauseum. Further, the title of the documentary is nonsensical, given that neither the "myths" nor "logic" of Shaolin are really ever discussed. Aside from a couple impressive demonstrations of martial skill the film has little to recommend. Unfortunately it also contains misinformation, as when the narrator claims (without referencing any particular study) that scientists have found empirical evidence for the existence of "chi." This claim is actually not true. Scientists have tried for years to find empirical evidence for the existence of chi, and never have. It is generally concluded by scientists that it doesn't exist, and that "chi demonstrations" amount to little more than parlor tricks. Some of these stupid tricks unfortunately appear in this documentary. For example, the film shows people who have supposedly mastered the "iron skin technique," rendering them "impervious to attack from bladed weapons." Note that when this claim is made it is never backed up. We are never treated to footage of people trying to cut someone with a sharp knife to no avail. Rather we are shown the old trick where a dull spear is placed on the throat and pressed until the shaft bends or breaks, or of someone balancing himself on a large spear placed at the abdomen. As Penn and Teller demonstrated in Bull$i#t, anyone can do this trick. You don't have to be a Shaolin monk. It's an old carnie trick, plain and simple. Also, when the kid is "smashing" bricks with his hand, pay attention to how he lifts one end ever so slightly before hitting it. This is also an old trick anyone can do. Same with the placing of boards against stones on the ground, etc. I do not mean to say that Kung Fu is nonsense but am rather pointing out that most traditional martial arts unfortunately contain a large amount of charlatanism, and that some of this rubbish appears in this film. I witnessed this firsthand when taking lessons in Wing Chun. The instructor fancied himself a Chi Gung expert and would incapacitate students without laying a hand on them. They would feign an attack and he would wave his hand over them, or some such nonsense, and let out a grunt, and they would, having been operantly conditioned to do so through repeated demonstrations in class, obediently fall to the ground and twitch around. When asked if they "felt it" they would say, "Oh yes." One day a kid off the street came in and asked for a demonstration. The teacher said the kid wasn't ready (meaning, he hadn't "learned" how he's supposed to respond). The kid was persistent and the teacher gave in. When the teacher shot his chi, or whatever, the kid of course said he didn't feel a thing. The teacher said he would need training. Tell that to someone attacking you with a knife!