5 comments about 2009 Lost Memories.

1. Shortly after seeing Vincenzo Natali's CYPHER, I became aware of two other films that appeared to have been cut from a Philip K. Dick cloth; Min Byung-chun's NATURAL CITY and Lee Si-myung's 2009: LOST MEMORIES. Where CYPHER felt close to Dick's "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" and NATURAL CITY his Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, 2009 was under threat of falling through the cracks as it smacked of a Dick novel that has yet to have an "official" adaptation, The Man in the High Castle.
   
   What if the Axis powers had won WWII? That's been a question long posed in alternative versions of history. 2009: LOST MEMORIES goes back further to the 1909 assassination of Chosun Governor Ito by Choong-Kum Ahn, proposing that this event could have sparked a flurry of dramatic shifts in history. No longer enemies, the United States and Japan would have fought as allies in World War II, atomic bombs would have been dropped on Britain, and "The Great East Asian Union" would serve as the second largest superpower in the world.
   
   The majority of the movie takes place in Seoul--third largest city in the Japanese Empire. When the Korean Republican Army (also known as the Hureisenjin) take over Ito Hall, Japanese Bureau of Investigation agents Sakamoto Masayuki (Jang Dong-gun) and Saigo Shojiro (Toru Nakamura) are called in to diffuse the situation. Like their American counterparts, the JBI tends to shoot first and never ask questions later. The sole exception to this is Sakamoto who insists on digging into the KRA's activities.
   
   Sakamoto uses his Japanese moniker despite being a Korean. In this brave new world, Korea is merely an extension of the East Asian Union's territory. Korea's cultural history and language have long ago been officially dissolved and its citizens are second class at best. When Sakamoto's investigation into the KRA threatens to rock the foundation of the illustrious and mysterious Inoue Foundation, he's framed for murder and told by his superiors, "You'll find lots of friends in jail since most of them are Korean."
   
   While Dick's use of an alternative future is far from wholly original, The Man in the High Castle is a highly satisfactory science fiction tale. Dick's novel lacks an organized rebellion to the alternate timeline but has The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, an underground novel which paints a much more familiar world in which the Axis powers fell. 2009: LOST MEMORIES also owes a debt to Chris Marker's LA JETTEE in Sakamoto's future/past dream.
   
   Moreover, director Lee Si-myung appears to be aping the style of John Woo just as Jang Dong-gun shares quite a few facial expressions with Chow Yun Fat. Additionally, the relationship between Sakamoto and Saigo recalls the tempestuous alliance between many of Woo's characters. It's ironic, then, that the disassociative plot of 2009: LOST MEMORIES should so strongly recall the work of Philip K. Dick when Woo would later helm the adaptation of Dick's "Paycheck."
   
   Rather than tracking down the overlong 2009: LOST MEMORIES, I recommend sticking with Peter Hyams' TIMECOP for a much better time travel adventure film.



2. The course of Korean history has been damaged through time travel! That is the secret of the whole film. I would have put up a spoiler warning, but if your read the back of the box, watch the opening credits, or read the product discription, you already know the BIG SECRET. The movie wants to be a very high minded affair, but you don't feel enough of the time changes (most of the over the top action gets in the way) so that you have a lot of sympathy for what is going on. The movie is also hurt by the fact it falls into every Asian movie cliche that doesn't involve a sword and martial arts.
   
   Hero sees person they care for killed and becomes so overcome with grief they must kill 100 people. Check. Best friends end up opposing each other. Check. Symetry scene between best friends going through similar experiences at different locations. Check. Flashback to unimportant person who now give film emotional meaning. Check. Slow action to a crawl to add emotional drama. Check. Two characters pointing pistols at the others head. Check.
   
   Not a bad flick, but not worth $20+ either.



3. First of all, either you will like the film "2009 Lost Memories" or you will not. The film reminded me a lot of Philip K. Dick's "THE MAN IN A HIGH CASTLE." Only from an Asian perspective. As for myself, I found the film very entertaining--not the best time travel film, but entertaining enough to rent the film at least. [I own it] The film centers around two main characters: A Korean policeman and Japanese policeman from a special anti-terrorist police unit. Both are assigned to the JBI. (Japanese Bureau Of Investigation) based in Seoul. They are combating a terrorist group trying to gain independence from Japan: As Japan in this alternate future allied itself with the USA, and helped to defeat the Axis powers. Moreover, because the future has been altered with Japan as an ally; the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been erased from the past, and therefore, Berlin, Germany was the recipient of the first atomic bombing.
   
   Enter two JBI agents, Sakamoto Masayuki (Jan Dong-gun) and Saigo Shojiro (Toru Nakamura). After the agents are assigned to investigate the Korean terrorist organization responsible for the latest attack on the corporation which sponsored the event; one of the agents, Sakamoto, begins his own internal research on the corporation. Sakamoto discovers that the attack which took so many of the terrorists lives centers on an ancient artifact, and the terrorists were all willing to die for it. But what is so significant about this artifact? Furthermore, Sakamoto is of Korean descent, and during his investigation of the the Mega-corporation, which is Japanese run, he finds himself in hot water as this corporation begins to go after him. This is a powerful corporation, and their reach is very far and wide. Also, since Japan was never defeated in this alternate reality, then Korea never became independent, and is still occupied by Japan.
   
   As events unfold in the film, it become apparent to Sakamoto that the artifact holds the key to events that occurred in the year 1909, which affected the future: The foiled assassination of one man which has altered the future and changed history. The film shifts to events in 1909, which show how history was altered. When Sakamoto discovers what really happened, it is up to him to go back in time and put the past in its proper place--as he has discovered that Korea is an independent nation [Divided] in the true reality. However, there is trouble for him within his own agency. His best friend is the Japanese JBI agent Saigo Shojiro--who has been told what really happened in time. Therefore, Saigo must stop his good friend from attempting to return history to its rightful place, lest his own Japan suffer defeat. Will Sakamoto succeed? Or will he be thwarted by his good friend Saigo? And will history be altered for the better if Sakamoto succeeds? This is a very good film, not great, but definitely worth a watch. Rent it first. [Stars: 3.5]



4. I'll make it short and sweet. This was a really good movie. The english track was a plus. It was put together good and the plot kept me on my seat and the end was a twist. I can't wait till more Asian/futuristic action packed movies are re-released into english tracks. I own a couple of movies like this one that has the english track and they are great. The american market is flooded with the same plots.. Movies like this one give you a different outlook on the way it is made...which makes it an all around good movie.. A must get.



5. I like these stories but I confess that this one is I thought weak. It is one of these what-if stories of how history would have been different if a Japanese governor in Korea in 1909 had not been assassinated. In the story it changed much of history. The Japanese empire survived and Korean become a second-class in Japanese society although democratic, rich and prosperous they are only fully accepted if they became Japanese. To correct this a Korean terrorist group tries to change history to make it what it was in our time.
   
   While watching it, I was thinking considering what Korea when though in our time. Since 1909 they went though a tough Japanese occupation, a bloody civil war, have had two terrible communist dictators in the North, many military leaders in the South and a threat of major war with nukes now. Maybe this alternate future was better for Korea which is something this film should have tried to analysis.
   
   Still it is a story. I did not find any characters interesting.
   
   The acting was okay.
   
   Some of the action scenes were good.
   
   The filming reasonable.

No comments about 52 Blocks Show and Prove.

2 comments about Blind Woman's Curse.

1. Sure I love serious Japanese films like Seven Samurai, but sometimes its cool to sit back and watch an over the top yakuza horror gorefest like Blind Woman's Curse. It doesn't pander to any certain crowd with pretensions, features over the top action, blood, female yakuza, a freakshow with loads of naked women screaming children and an old guy who seems to be cooking human remains all on the outside of the show and the clencher in a retarded hunchback that likes to skin people just for their dragon tatoos. Yeah thats prime entertainment to me.
   
   Curse is the story of Tachibana Akemi, the young heir apparent of the Tachibana gang slowly coming to fight the Aozora family. The film begins with a showdown between Akemi and a certain group, in which she accidentally blinds the titular blind woman. From then on She feels cursed, a trait she fears is spreading to all of those around her. She comes back to her family unwilling to fight the Aozora group who attack the Tachibana group with a little help from a turncoat spy Tatsu who wants to bed Chie Chan the daughter of a former Tachibana member who now runs a restaraunt. Into this conflict comes the blind woman a performer who's overcome her disability seeking revenge for her disfigurement at Akemi's hands. Everythings convoluted to the Nth degree in this story and I'm sure I'm leaving something out somewhere in that plot description.
   
   Just everything in here entertains from the decent to the over the top acting. After this film and the two Lady Snowblood films Meiko Kaji shows why she was one of the top female actresses of the seventies having a hard beauty that adds to her performance. And the over the top art direction and photography just adds to the sweetness on the icing of this cake. This film isn't great art, but that doesn't keep it from being something more, great entertainment something not even the most serious of films today can achieve.



2. Blind Woman's Curse ia a film directed by the man who directed Female Yakuza Tale and stars Meiko Kaji(from the Lady Snowblood flims)as a ruthless Yakuza ladyboss who, while in a swordfight with rival yakuza clans, mistakenly blinds a Japanese noblewoman with her katana blade, filled with anger and hatred, the blind woman, along with her Quasimodo-type henchman, begins her search for the woman who maimed her. The film has all the unique formulas of a classic 1970's Pinky violence film, cold-blooded swordswomen, Japanese mafia bosses, and pure horror that would make Roger Corman be proud. Blind Woman's Curse has proven that not all Japanese women are docile and friendly. :)

1 comments about Legendary Warrior - Complete Series.

1. My wife grew up in China with her father telling her this story. When I found this series for her, she was overjoyed, especially due to the fantastic production that Tai-Seng made. Really one of the best Chinese series you can buy, almost up there with Huan Zhu Ge Ge.

3 comments about Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan.

1. For years, I have always loved movies from the Shaw Brothers Studio Company. And it 2002 when Celestial Pictures, a hong kong based company, bought the rights to the movies, 750 out of 1,000 of them, and were going to get full restoration treatment, I was overjoyed. The problem? The movies would only be released in the Asia market, with no American distribution in sight. The only recourse was buying VCD versions just to be able to view the movies. (Asian DVD movies are encoded in R3, not playable on US DVD players.) But, in the last year Shaw movies have been getting US releases, although too few for my taste. Thank you, Image Entertainment. Thank you, Dragon Dynasty. And now, Tokyo Shock has gotten into the fold. As for "Intimate Confession of a Chinese Courtesan" this was a movie I have long waited for. As Celestial dug up various movies, this was one of hundred I discovered. With the cover, showing two women embracing only told you what kind of movie it is. But unlike erotic Asian movies, this one is fairly tame. Unlike another Shaw exploitation movie called, "Bamboo House of Dolls." There are a couple girl to girl kissing scenes, and various naked girls with ugly dudes, but nothing at the level of movies today.
   
   The plot is basically about a corrupt brothel who steals women and sells them into prostitution. The madam, played by the beautiful Lily Ho, prefers only women for intimacy and comes across a fiery girl, played by Betty Pei Ti, as she grows quite fond of her. Betty on the other hand fights against the system, trying to retain her freedom. But when a failed escape arises and a male servant is killed in the process, Betty conforms as Lily's lover and a call girl at the brothel. But under deception, Betty gets revenge of the men who violated her and eventually going after the madam.
   
   As I originally watched, it became more of a martial art movie then what I expected. A pleasant surprise. The movie is shot quite beautifully and the performances are top notch. The story does drag a bit, but the ending is absolutely priceless. Don't be surprised if you yell back at the TV. I know I continually do.
   
   This movie is in 2.35 anamorphic widescreen, with both the original Cantonese dialog and a surprising English dub. The enthusiast in me prefers the original audio with subtitles, but the lazy in me loves the English dub. Both are great experiences as the dubbed version is surprisingly well done.
   
   If you love old school kung fu movies and particular Shaw Brother movies, you can't lose with this dvd. An Intimate DVD of a Confessed movie lover.



2. This is a very different type of Shaw Brothers martial arts film. It reminded me of Lady Snowblood, so if you liked that, then I would definitely recommend this. Betty Tei Pei plays a brothel owner, and she is a very evil woman. She could care less about men, and only loves women. When she gets in a new batch of prostitutes, she meets one that she likes. Lily Ho plays the prostitute, and she's a tough little woman, which is why the Madam likes her so much. Yes, they do makeout, and it is awesome. The story has Lily Ho taking revenge on all the men she had to sleep with when she first came to the brothel, and it's a pretty simple story. The acting from Betty Tei Pei is AMAZING, and it is a good overall movie, and has an amazing ending. It's directed by Chor Yuen, and as exepcted, it is a beautiful film to look at. Chor Yuen worked very hard and put in a lot of detail to make sure that his movies had a unique look.
   
   The swordplay is quite good for 1972, and it gets pretty bloody.
   
   Rating- 4/5
   
   The picture quality on the Image DVD is pretty much perfect, and both the English and Chinese language tracks sound great. Image Entertaiment has included the English dub on their last 3 Shaw Brothers releases. I sure hope they continue this trend.



3. One of director Chu Yuan's greatest films. His tempo with the storyline not at all convoluted, the seemless choreographed fighting, the intricate plot matched with the ultra-stylish sets. A masterpiece of cinematic presentation. A very high class brothel is run by a matchless female fighter (Betty Pei Ti) who's 'fingering technique' is instantly lethal. She falls in love with her latest addition (Lily Ho) to the brothel, and teaches her this deadly style of martial arts, but she spells the downfall of this matchless female fighter/brothel operator. Yueh Hua is an inspector trying to solve the mysterious murders possibly connected to the brothel. There's plenty of blood, nudity, and violence, as well as ground breaking (what was then very taboo) lesbian issues considered. An incredibly beautifully filmed story. A unique masterpiece of martial art cinema strikingly remastered.

3 comments about Night of the Warrior.

1. This a kickboxer movie with a story line, in - depth character studies and some downright good acting. Throw in some great music numbers for background and you've got a winner. Kathleen Kinmot and Lorenzo Lamas are at their sizzling best.Anthony Geary is someone you love to hate and Arlene Dahl is super as the star lost in the past. All the actors are at their best.



2. This movie only had 2 offical fight scenes! And there were some additional "fight scenes" where Lorenzo gets jumped, and one where he goes into this guys night club and beats up a few men. Not incredibly bad storyline, but almost no fighting! Lorenzo doesn't even do his jumping pump roundhouse (a move which he is most notable using in his TV show Renegade). The movie came out one year before his show started, so I guess he was desperate for a role, so he didn't mind starring in this film. Lorenzo plays Miles Keane, a night club owner and photographer. He payed off his loan to the guy who gave it to him by fighting for him. His employer wants him to fight again, he refuses, and then gets framed for murder. Lorenzo has to fight again to save his mom and his girlfriend. This movie only gets one star because Lorenzo Lamas is in it.



3. I'm not a huge fan of Lorenzo Lamas, but I purchased this movie since it's focus is around illegal underground fighting. That end up being a dissapointment since there were only two underground fights in the film. There was little other action throughout, and the story treads along similar ground that other martial arts films use. Overall, this was an ok film that ended up being a pretty boring watch.
   
   For what there is, the acting could have been far worse. Lamas doesn't do too bad a job, but he always seems too tiresome when he acts in his films, and its no different here. Kathleen Kinmont is his love interest in the film, the same girl who seems to play his love ineterst in many of his other films such as Final Round and Final Impact. James Lew (Timecop, Perfect Weapon, Showdown) makes a nice appearance as the fighter Miles Keane (Lamas) fights in the end, although the fight wasn't very inspiring and a bit slow paced.
   
   This ends up being a pretty unexciting movie that doesn't give much. For what it is, its ok and the highlight of creativity goes to some interesting musical choices, especially the tunes in the nightclub. The fighting is sparse and weak and the story is nothing you haven't seen before.

4 comments about Taiji Pushing Hands 1 & 2 (YMAA Tai Chi) Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming.

1. This video looks and sounds great, and the content is excellent. The DVD has 2 complete videos in it, courses 1 & 2. So you can progress smoothly, with detailed instruction from the teacher. Its like a private lesson, where he gives precise instruction and adjustments, making it very easy to learn from.



2. I've always wondered what Push Hands was - this video explains that in great detail and teaches how to learn in a very gradual manner. I got my copy last week (...)
   
   Im glad I finally found this DVD, because it shows exactly what I was looking for - I once saw two women 'pushing hands' in the park and was fascinated, but have never found a video on the subject until now. Nice sound and picture, and Dr Yang seems to be a very nice teacher.



3. This DVD combines two VHS tapes that were titled Taiji Pushing Hands 1 and Taiji Pushing Hands 2. I own both of the VHS tapes, having purchased them when they were first released. As I've mentioned in other reviews, I have always been satisfied after purchasing martial arts DVDs of material that I already had previously purchased in the VHS format. Besides the advantages of easy access when using a DVD, Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming usually includes a fair amount of new material when he re-releases a product on DVD.
   
   The production quality is excellent as always, and I feel this is one of the few videos available by anyone that actually gives sound instruction in how to learn and practice Taijiquan pushing hands. I own a number of different pushing hands videos by various teachers. Unfortunately, they require a high level of skill in order to benefit from the material as the tapes either are not in English or use limited English to teach the concepts. Many of the tapes available from other teachers do not cover the material as thoroughly as does Dr. Yang.
   
   Taijiquan pushing hands is a critical skill to develop for anyone that is serious in their study of Taijiquan. It is, I hate to say impossible, but let's face reality, there is no way a person can reach their potential in the application of Taijiquan techniques unless time is spent doing pushing hands with a variety of practitioners. OK, so you and a couple of buddies toss each other around in kind of free for all haphazard method (or lack of). That is not pushing hands, and anyone not learning proper methods in pushing hands can only reach a low level of skill.
   
   Learn the techniques and pushing hands routines on this video, practice often with everyone that is willing, and your skill will greatly increase. As skill increases, it becomes possible to truly "win" in pushing hands while being very conservative with your energy. Watching someone "win" at pushing hands while overpowering the other person is not as impressive as seeing someone with high skill seemingly control the other person while staying centered, calm and using very efficient techniques. This kind of skill comes from long hours of practice with live persons and using correct techniques, like the ones taught on this video.
   
   The video covers the following material, with both courses available on the DVD:
   
   Course 1
   Structure of Pushing Hands
   Basic Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands
   Solo Single Pushing Hands
   Partner Single Pushing Hands
   Partner Double Pushing Hands
   
   Course 2
   Basic Yin/Yang Taiji Ball Qigong
   Three Basic Jins
   Moving Taiji Symbol Sticking Hands
   International Stationary Double Pushing Hand Routine
   International Moving Double Pushing Hands Routine
   
   Dr. Yang personally demonstrates the majority of the material. He then uses students of varying levels of skill to demonstrate the techniques further. It is always beneficial to the student when they are able to view various levels of skill when learning new movements. If one only sees correctly done moves, how will a student be able to differentiate between correct moves and moves that violate the principles of Taijiquan. Just as one must know and understand the yin and the yang when practicing Taijiquan, one must also know and understand what is correct practice and what is not.
   
   Very few teachers have passed onto the general public information concerning how to use the yin yang diagram in their forms and in their applications (push hands). Jou, Tsung Hwa touched briefly on the subject in his book "The Tao of Taijiquan". In his book he talks about using the yin yang diagram to practice the various types of kicks found in the form. Additionally, he shares some thoughts about the hand positions, phases of the moon and using the yin yang diagram.
   
   Why am I not surprised that Dr. Yang is the first martial artist to release this information on video (to the best of my knowledge). Dr. Yang and his production staff have certainly set the standard for the way martial arts videos should be produced.



4. Although one of my good friends and training partners studies the Chinese martial arts and owns much of Dr. Yang's library, Taiji Pushing Hands 1 & 2 was my first direct exposure to this renowned instructor, and let me just say that I was utterly impressed. The supple and smooth, yet powerful and explosive, movements of his body are a sight to behold. Even more impressive is the fact that he can do them all while standing on the sides of bricks. Any martial artist, no matter what his or her style, would be happy to have this type of body control in his/her toolbox.
   
   And really, that is what makes this video so great - the content is really quite style neutral. Sure, its primary audience is taiji practitioners. However, anyone who watches this video with an open mind is going to find many skills, drills, and methods that will mold seamlessly into his/her style of choice. In fact, while watching the video, I was continually finding myself thinking things such as, "Oh, that looks like blank technique from so-and-so kata." In addition, Dr. Yang explains all of the movements in such a way that even someone with no prior exposure to pushing hands can follow along reasonably well. Really, the only place where the exposition is inadequate is during the Taiji Ball Qigong exercises at the beginning of Course 2. Although the viewer is referred to a separate video that specifically discusses these movements, some small amount of discussion would have been useful to fit them into the larger picture. However, this is only a minor issue and does nothing to detract from the way in which the rest of the material is presented.
   
   Furthermore, not only are the practices in this video well explained, they are also quite practical. Anyone who thinks that taiji is simply some form of relaxing "New Age"-y exercise that has no relevance to self-defense needs only to watch this video to see the fallacy of his or her argument. Not only does Dr. Yang give the viewer numerous pushing hands drills to practice either solo or with a partner, he also frequently demonstrates how the flowing movements from the drills can blend directly into a variety of joint locks and takedowns. Plus, he even shows a couple of different ways that a heavy bag/sand bag can be used to practice the pushing hands techniques. Watching the video, it is clear why pushing/sticking hands-type drills were once a central part to many different martial arts. Moreover, it is a great motivator for reintroducing them into styles where their practice has been neglected.
   
   Finally, unlike many martial arts videos, the production values on this DVD are quite solid. The picture is clear, and aside from a few sound pops here and there, the audio is good. Moreover, the menus are easy to navigate and allow the viewer to go directly to the specific drills he or she wants to practice. Overall, I give this video top marks and look forward to watching other Dr. Yang productions.

5 comments about Ninja in the Deadly Trap.

1. Ninja in the Deadly Trap is not a bad movie, it is just extremely boring. It seems to have a lot of waiting around until we get to the action. The 3 most acrobatic venoms play the good guys in this film which was certainly a change for Lu Feng. So the General played by Ti Lung has been attacked and he sends his son to find these 3 great fighters. Their master has a line straight out of 5 deady Venoms but this movie sticks more to the 'Chinese Super Ninja' style. In fact, it was made in the mid eighties around the same time as Super Ninjas was made. It really does feel like a cheap ripoff, not just of Super Ninjas, btu many other Venom films. I can still look beyond the incredibly boring and unoriginal story though and be happy with the great action. Phillip Kwok is just amazing with his choreography but even the action starts to feel cheap. You don't have those 30 movements in one shot like you used to for their Shawbrothers films, and we don't get those spectacular 10-15 minute fighting sequences. Still, seeing Lu Feng, Phillip Kwok, and Chiang Sheng go at it with Yusuaki Kuratu and other no names got me by for the night. Still, the biggest dissapointment was seeing Ti Lung in a non fighting role, I think that he got literally a single swipe with his sword. It's Ti Lung, did he break his leg or something before the shoot?
   
   The commentary is ok but warning, they give away the entire plot of 'Chinese Super Ninjas'. They do give some good info on Sheng and Kwok, but don't even mentionj any of the Taiwanese films Sheng did like Ninja Death or Drunken Dragon or how he directed Ninja USA and Ninja Death... Picture is full screened but it is watchable.



2. the story is pretty straight forward...it gathers everthing it needs to set up the storyline to bring the full packed ninja action against this magnificent 3 warrior brothers. You will see alot of different ninjas (black ninjas, sun ninjas, tree ninjas, and soil ninjas) using many kinds of deadly weapons including shruyuken. The sword fighting is straight up awesome. The only thing i complain is the fight between one of the three brothers against this one bodyguard of the boss during the final fight. Other than that, you will see deadly weapons used and raw kung fu fights in this flick. 4 stars



3. I've seen what some of the other reviewers have posted and I won't disagree with them for the simple fact that I haven't seen the movies that they mentioned. One person in particular said this was a ripoff of Super Ninjas or something like that....but I've never seen that movie and don't really care to see it, though I will watch it if I run across it. This movie I have seen. I don't know how I came across it, but I've always been intrigued by Ninjas even after their era in the 80's. So when I saw this film, I immediately fell in love with it. I didn't think it was boring at all and I thought the interaction with the 3 brothers and then knowing each other only by fighting style was pretty cool. I also liked that I saw a variety of ninjas in this movie. Not just the ninjas in their typical dark brown (Yes, their Shinobifuku was dark brown, not black like most people think.) I also like how they showed the ninja in their true form and that was when they were playing different roles, whether it was a soldier, cook, or doctor or whatever. It also showed them utilizing their many different weapons and not just the Sword and Shurikens.
   
   This may have been done in other movies. But I haven't seen those. To anyone who happens to read this review, if you haven't seen those movies, whichever ones they might be, then you'll probably enjoy this movie as well. Will you not still enjoy it if you have seen movies similar to what I described? I don't know. But I've seen this movie and I'm pretty sure that if I do see the others that are similar to this, I'd still like them. But thats just me. *****'s



4. This is probably my best martial arts film of my collection. Nothing against "American Ninja", or "Enter the Dragon", but this movie has a decent plot that you can follow, not to mention how the brothers come together and understand what they must do! A must for any collection.



5. For some that title may mean very little (if anything?), however for most ardent kung fu fans it's a wet dream put to celluloid! The great Ti Lung (unfortunately kinda wasted here in a non-fighting role), as famous Chinese General Qi Jiguang, has become the target of ninja assassination from Japanese pirates who have had their exploits halted due to his actions. Knowing little about the art of ninjitsu, Qi sends his son out to find three mysterious fighters that can protect him from these stealthy attacks. Of course those 3 fighters happen to be none other then former Shaw Brothers action stars (collectively known as Venoms)Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, and Kuo Chui (aka Philip Kwok, who also directs and choreographs this)! The leader of the ninja assasins is played by the always excellent Yasuaki Kurata, an actual Japanese martial artist who made his name, oddly enough, acting in Hong Kong action films (you may know him as the elder Japanese fighter that squares off against Jet Li in Fist Of Legend)... can this movie be bad?! Well, obviously I don't think so; though one knock I will mention is the film's deliberately paced first hour, taking it's time to get the pieces in order and set the stage. For those on the hunt for a non-stop fight fest, this could be problematic, although I never found it dull thanks in part to the aforementioned cast, and an all around well put together production. Direction, music, script, choreography, and effects are all very nicely done here... the lack of ineptitude is actually somewhat surprising as a fan of chop socky cinema; it is always appreciated though! Ninja In The Deadly Trap isn't quite on the level, and shouldn't be confused with, Chang Cheh's infamous cult classic Chinese Super Ninja's (where's that region 1 DVD?!), though it does take some obvious cues from that film (and was even produced by director Cheh). This movie has a more realistic feel to it, with less scenes filmed on a studio set, toned down gore, and ninja's that seem a tad more believable (although they do melt when they die LOL!)... on the flip side, the action isn't as good and doesn't happen nearly as much either. Ninja In The Deadly Trap just falls short of being an absolute martial arts classic, but it does provide a great watch, and delivers a finale (The Venoms versus Yasuaki Kurata!)that will leave most genre fans changing their bed sheets!

1 comments about Zatoichi Collection II.

1. Read my review of collection one (1). This is not Season Two of the TV Series. It is Season One repackaged to look like a new season. Rally PO,d

2 comments about Eskrima -Inayan Sinawali.

1. I studied Inayan escrima through Marc Jackson, one of my karate students, who was a student of Mike's son, Jason, and his daughter, Jena. It is mainly Serrada escrima influenced from Angel Cabales, as Guru Mike was one of the oldest practicing seniors of the art when he did this video. I subsequently went on to study Ted Lucaylucay's system under Chuck Gonzaga, Ted's senior student, and became certified as an instructor in that art. But I'll never forget my original introduction to Filipino martial arts thru the great Serrada system of gurus Cabales and Inay.
   
   The art of sinawali, originally from the plains of the Philippines, is now justly famous for its grace and beauty and effectiveness. You can't get a better teacher than Guru Mike, and this is one of the best videos I've seen on the subject and covers many of the drills, techniques, and strategies involved in sinawali or doble baston.



2. this seller is superb, i have never gotten this degree of service with any purchase online, and the product is exactly what i wanted. kudos!