5 comments about Beyond Hypothermia.

1. First of all, the cinematography is spectacular. The film makers took great time and dedication with the action scenes, the cut shots and the still shots. The action scenes are fast paced and Chien-Lien does a wonderful job as a female assassin. She is in love with a man, he is in love with her, but she is a killer. He is naive and tells her he doesn't care about her job. American fans will consider this similar to the Brigette Fonda movie "Point of No Return." There are a lot of very violent and exciting shooting scenes in this movie and it's a very exciting Korean movie. The film really heats up as Chien-Lien does everything she can to protect her own life from the people out to kill her.



2. Beyond Hypothermia is the story of dainty looking hitwoman. She's never led a normal life and is characterized by both her ice cold nerves and a perfect assassin's body that is colder than normal.
   
   And then one day she meets a guy. A regular guy who's not handsome or rich or powerful but is sweet and funny and good. And he owns a noodle shop. He loves her, wants to get her out of her deadly life and is willing to leave his home and business to be with her. He's a regular guy but when his beloved is in trouble he rises to heroism. The audience really comes to like him. This is her one big chance to live happily ever after and she decides to take it.
   
   But of course there's a problem. A bodygaurd who was hired to protect her last hit is after her. He's so implacable about doing his job that he doesn't even spare his father-in-law when it turns out the old man was the one who ordered the hit. Even the death of his wife doesn't slow this dude down. He won't stop tyring to get our heroine and he has the resources of an entire gang to back him up.
   
   The ending of this movie is extremely bloody, violent and surprisingly touching in the way that only a movie made in Korea, Japan or Hong Kong can be. It's very, very good.



3. Although the plot of this movie is very familiar
   (a lone female assassin finally starts to feel
   true emotions when she meets a "normal" guy
   and then decides that she wants to leave the business)
   "Beyond Hypothermia" sets a high standard for
   run-of-the-mill assassin films. There is a
   superb balance between drama and action in
   this movie. The dramatic portions never come
   across as forced, poorly written melodrama.
   The action scenes appear to be even,fluid extensions
   of the drama. The cinematography is Oscar quality,
   in my opinion. At every turn, there are unique little
   elements that grab the eye and hold your attention like something you may seen a
   million times but all of a sudden it strikes you as brand new.
   
   This movie was smartly designed and written.
   The ending is a pain parade, and that's putting
   it lightly. It's extremely violent, but surprisingly, not
   saddening. In fact, it's almost refreshing because,
   in a way, everyone got exactly what they were
   seeking. You'll have to watch the movie to
   fully appreciate how this is so.



4. I NEVER RECEIVED THIS ITEM AND I HAVE HAD NO RESPONCE FROM THE COMPANY I ORDERED FROM. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH AMAZON



5. Asian cinema keeps getting better and I give this movie five stars. Compared to "Point of no return" influenced by the original "La Femme Nikita". Beyond Hypothermia captures the gritty French noir look and feel that "Point of no return" couldn't. By no means is "Beyond Hypothermia" a remake of La femme Nikita but it takes the same plot of the lonely female assasin being burnt out on the job then falls for a man that knows nothing about her and this puts everything in jepordy. What makes this one interesting is the fact that it was shot in a country that has a different spin on it's culture towards women, which would probably explain why this fully independent soldier would fall for a simple modest noodle maker. The action is top notch as well as the cinematography and the story skips her beginnings (unlike La Femme Nikita) giving her character a more mysteious quality about her.

4 comments about Wing Chun Kung Fu, Vol 1 by William M. Cheung.

1. Wing Chun Kung Fu Volume 1 by William M. Cheung
   
   Wing Chun Kung Fu Volume 1 is part of a 5 volume series by William Cheung. The series is available on VHS or DVD. I strongly recommend that you buy the DVD version. DVD's can be played on a home DVD player attached to the TV, a small, portable DVD player which can almost fit in your pocket, if you wear pants with large pockets like those military style dungaree pants some police and paramedics are wearing now days, or you can play DVD's on a laptop or note book computer that has an installed DVD/cd player. This would enable you to take your DVD lessons with you where ever you go and to view them whenever you have time. You can watch DVD's in Slow Motion or speeded up. You can freeze a scene to examine it as a still picture. You can capture images. DVD's have an interactive potential for the viewer which the VHS machines lack. This characteristic supports the viewers learning requirements for understanding a subtle or difficult move or concept being studied.
   
   Wing Chun is the style of Kung Fu Bruce Lee learned before he developed his own style of Jeet Kune Do. Although, Bruce Lee created Jeet Kune Do in an attempt to develop a simpler yet superior means of fighting, he remained influenced by Wing Chun and incorporated some of its concepts into Jeet Kune Do. You will see it for yourself If you watch this video series by William Cheung and compare it with Jeet Kune Do by reading his books and maybe watching some videos of Jeet Kune Do such as the video adaptation of Bruce Lee's Fighting Method by Ted
   Wong and Richard Bustillo.
   
   Wing Chun is very unique from most traditional styles of Kung Fu or Karate. Simplicity is its main characteristic. There are only 3 stances which feel some what more natural than the many classical Kung Fu or Karate stances. Strikes and punches are thrown from the middle of the chest. The fist is given a flick of the wrist at the last instant upon contact with its target. I compare this to the flick of the wrist at the last instant as a base ball is pitched to add a little extra velocity to it. This manner of punching is very different from the traditional hand on hip and twist of the fist at the moment of contact found in classical Kung Fu and Karate.
   Kicks are kept low, usually not higher than the opponent's waist. There is no exageration of the move's execution, such as the wide sweeps, large circles, and exagerated force used in classical blocks and strikes.
   
   The strategy and attitude of a Wing Chun practitioner seems more similar to that of aikido and jujitsu practioners in that the practitioner of wing chun seeks to harmonize with his opponents force rather than to oppose it.
   
   Volume 1 of Wing Chun begins a demonstration of the Sil Lim Tao form three times. Karate practitioners would think of it as a simple kata using only hand techniques.
   
   Next, exercise drills of basic blocks are demonstrated. In contrast to classical Kung Fu and Karate where students are taught to block first, then counter with a strike or kick. Wing Chun practioners use both of their hands to block and strike or kick at the same time.
   
   Demonstrations of Wing Chun basics are shown more than once from different angles.
   
   William Cheung describes Wing Chun's strategy as being four steps or phases of attacking an opponent's balance, creating an opening in the opponent's defense, controlling the opponent's elbow and maneuvering the opponent into a position in which his arms become crossed and therefore unable to fight back when trapped in that position.
   
   William Cheung demonstrates defenses against various punches, strikes and kicks. He and his assistant demonstrate combinations and the rolling punch technique.
   
   Foot work is demonstrated by his assistant. This leads to demonstration of the Chum Kil form and its applications because Chum Kil incorporates foot work and kicks into the form.
   
   William Cheung and his assistant end volume 1 of Wing Chun by demonstrating a means of Chi meditation.
   
   I think this video series offers useful information and techniques to consider for every martial artist. If you appreciate intelligent systems of fighting, you will not be disappointed with this series. However, some people might have not much use for volume 4 which is about fighting with chinese butterfly knives and a long staff called a dragon pole.



2. I took Wing Jitsu for a year (This art was invented by my instructor) and always liked the wing chun side of it the best. I work late hours so I can not take a class so I have decided to get videos and work out with my fiends.
   
   This video has some really good stuff. The only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5 is cause they don't do a good job of covering the very basic concepts. That worked out for me cause I already knew them pretty much but if you have never take wing chun you may want to start with Wing Chun: The Science of In-Fighting. I know a lot of people say that you can not learn kung fu from a book or DVD but in the old days in China a lot of people learned from book as long as you have some one to practice with you should be able to learn from this DVD. I have already learned most of this DVD and can not wait to get the next one.



3. I did buy the volume 1 of William cheung and I have to say I love it,and I will buy the next volume soon.
   
   Robert



4. I was more than surprised to see the poor quality of this DVD, especially after reading the positive reviews.
   Very very superficial DVD, which seems more an exhibition than a didactical tape.
   No explanation of the moves, just the two persons "dancing" around, performing moves at very high speed.
   This is clearly not an "instruction" video, since the techniques are not explained, just performed.
   I normally prefer books as a way to learn something, but I have found some very serious and valuable DVD as well. Not this one.
   Maybe if you are an advanced Winch Chung practitioner, with years of practice with a real Sifu, this can be for you. Otherwise, you will not catch much from these video.

5 comments about The Fearless Hyena.

1. I don't know what a lot of people are talking about. This DVD from Columbia Tristar is the best there is for this movie. It has the original Cantonese dialouge (along with a separate English dub) with English subs. The picture is fine too. It's good enough for an old movie like this one. It's not like you can't see what's going on in the film. I like it.
   
   The movie itself has GREAT choreography, especially Jackie Chan versus the sword guy at the school and Jackie Chan versus the three swordsmen. Fast paced and BREATHTAKING!



2. If you want UNCUT ORIGINAL version, ALWAYS look for ORIGINAL LICENSED Production. NOT US Release. Its a foreign film, it should not be US version to begin with~! HELLO!!!?? Why settle for LESS with US Version where they edit and cut so many excellent scenes especially with Jackie's Fighting Scenes. And US Release ruins the speed and sound as well. I have been collecting Jackie Chan's movies both HK and US Release Version for quite some time now. I found HK Version to be MUCH MORE in enjoyable, and HIGHER in Quality. American Market always like to "Americanize" and "Control". Regional Code Regulation thing is one of the example to CONTROL the Market. Why not let everyone enjoy the same HK Original Release move the same way ENTIRE WORLD enjoys it ?? No one makes Hollywood American movies to "French version" or "Chinese Version" ~! This what Americans are doing~! Well, enjoy the cheap "American version" then~! LOL



3. First of all i dont know why so many ppl complain about the quality and extras,please this is a movie from 1979!! Thanx God we have it on DVD of course i would love to have a 3 disc edition but who cares, The movie is great and very funny, in one scene you can see Jackie as a chinese girl fighting a big guy because he got a job as a man who fights every Kung fu teacher that wants to bother his boss.
   The story is great Jackie lives with his grandpa and he teach him Kung Fu but soon his grandpa is found by an old enemy who wants to kill him and one day the evil master finds the Grandpa's house and kill him gettind advantage of the grandpa's sickness...Jackie tries to help him but he is stopped by and old man who tells him not to fight these master at the moment or he will be dead too...
   Soon the old man became his master and put him in HARD training so Jackie can defeat the evil master...and KIll him
   The fights are spectacular theres a bit of all here.
   ENJOY AND LEARN!!



4. Jackie Chan had just established his Hong Kong popularity with Seasonal Pictures Snake in Eagles Shadow and the sublime Drunken Master. With the success of those films Lo Wei, who lent him out to Seasonal, let Jackie have complete control over his next picture. Fearless Hyena would be Jackie's directorial debut - though he would be working with a much smaller budget than his Seasonal experience. He would also stunt coordinate and write this film too. This movie would out gross the stellar receipts of Drunken Master and help earn Jackie 6000 HK dollars (his pay was 3000 per film; though he made over 50000 on Drunken Master). This measly pay helped exacerbate the rift between him and Lo Wei which led to his departure and the infamous sequel.
   
   Jackie reprises his goofy student role that he played in Drunken Master. This time he is Shing Lung, a talented but capricious student and grandson of Chen Ping Fe (the ubiquitous James Tien). Lung would rather gamble or goof off then study his forms. Little does he know that his Grandfather is marked for death by Yen Ting Hua (the underrated Yam Sai-kwoon aka Yen Shi Kwan) who is trying to destroy the Sien Yi clan founded by Hiu Fei (I just love keeping track of these names, I do not know why). Though Shing is forbidden to teach (or show) the Kung Fu his grandfather teaches him he (of course) does it anyways.
   
   Shing tries to make his grandfather proud by getting a job selling coffins. The coffin dealer played by Dean Shek is an unscrupulous merchant who even sells secondhand coffins. This cameo plays to the strengths of Dean and is quite an interesting and hilarious scene. Hapless Shing blows this opportunity by trapping Dean in one of his favorite coffins. He runs away and while walking the public he is confronted by three ruffians (Great Bear, Stony Egg and Ironhead) he beat up earlier. They want him to teach them Kung Fu.
   
   Shing meets their Master Ti Cha who is in charge of the Everything Clan who has no actual skills except for scheming. Ti offers Lung a position and lots of money to help there school learn effective fighting techniques. Ti uses him in the old ploy as a lowly laborer to fight heads of other schools (so if the lowly laborer is that good, just imagine how good Master Ti is.) This leads to several excellent fight scenes that are incredibly fun to watch. I especially like when Shing fights the Lu Ying and the Willow Sword (using the Pink Panther theme as background music) as a cross-eyed beggar. He then fights a large albeit slow man as a woman (yes, Jackie in Drag and no he is not cute).
   
   Shing then makes a huge mistake by naming the facility under the Sien Yi name. Now the rest of the film is very predictable with the ultimate showdown between Shing Lung and Yen Ting Hua. The way it is handled though is quite sagacious. The training scenes are Jackie at his masochistic best. With him pulling huge sacks, doing amazing upside-down sit-ups with his new trainer the Unicorn having a sadistic gleam in his eyes. Shing is even taught Emotional Kung Fu (which Jackie made up for this film) using Joy, Anger, Sorrow and Happiness to focus on one's enemy "emotional" weak spot.
   
   One of my favorite scenes is the Dueling Chopsticks scene in which the Unicorn prevents Shing from eating by using his chopsticks (of course.) Unfortunately it has influenced me to be quite annoying and apply this whenever applicable.
   
   I would not rate this film as highly as Drunken Master. There are problems with the plot that takes too much from Drunken Master. However, I feel that this is an unheralded martial arts piece that is funny and exciting with excellent ideas and stunt choreography by Jackie Chan. This is also a must see if you want to watch Jackie in drag.



5. This is a fun and action packed martial arts film with long and exciting fight scenes with humor. This is a classic not to be missed! Once again, Chan is a mischievious youth who is being trained by his grandfather in the martial arts. When his grandfather is killed, Chan seeks revenge against a rather formidable opponent.
   
   The last fight scene is stunning! Humor, different techniques, and good camera work make this a 5 star film!

5 comments about Battle Arena Toshinden.

1. I think this movie is one of the best the music is great along with the battles.It has all the characters except Master and you only get a quick glimps of Vermillion all in all it is well worth it. The movie is about a Master Swordsman Eiji Shinjo that has been haunted by the memory of his battle with the renegade champion,Gaia- But now, a mysterious warrior is hunting down the champions of the previous tournament and the person hunting them may be Sho Shinjo (Eiji's brother). Who is this powerful, new foe and who is his next target? Eiji and Kayin-his greatest rival and closest friend- struggle to unravel the mystery before they too, join the ranks of the defeated.At last, the ultimate battle between the greatest fighters in the world will be decided. And the price of victory may be to great....



2. Battle Arena Toshinden is based off the short lived Fighting game that was here in America (and was part of the Playstation opening lineup). In the Anime it is about Eiji searching out his brother SHo. In the Meantime the Organization (Run by Uranus) is trying to gather Data on the Toshinden Warriors in order to create the ultimate killing machine. To battle the ORganization Eiji, Kayin, Sofia, Tracey and Gaia all team up to take the organization down after they attack and put in the hoispital Ellis.

   The fight sequences are typcial Anime but still real cool to watch (if you are into Action Anime). It fits right in if you are a Fan of Street Fighter, Tekken, or Fatal Fury. IT will not appeal to everyone because it is more about the fights than plot but than again most bond films are the same way and no one complains. THis is a decent anime that is worth watching at least once (or owning like I do).




3. This film kicks butt!!!! The only problems is: most of the scenes are just violence, and you know how Duke kicked some major attitude in the game? He pops up on only one scene and says only one line. Chaos SUCKED LIKE CRAZY!!!! He's truly the dumbest character in BAT next to Uranus. Kayin sure was cool. The first time I played the game I thought he was a bad guy, but I was wrong. Eiji, too, brought back memories. Ellis,however, is my favorite character but she didn't join in almost any fight and she almost died just because of poison, and I mean the poison seemed harmless to anyone!



4. When this movie came on the Action Channel. I never got to see it. I have been waiting for it to come back, but it never did. It wasn't very long until I bought the movie on DVD. I learned that this movie was the very first DVD the Centeral Park Media aka (U.S. Manga Corps) first released. It was really cool when I watched the entire movie, it was just like the video game with all the cool characters. My favorite characters are: Eiji, Sofia, Ellis, Fo, and Duke. The movie also features the voices of Hideo Seaver, Ted Lewis and Lisa Ortiz famous for Yu-Gi-Oh!, Chris Yates, Greg Wolfe, Carter Cathcart famous for Grappler Baki. This is the best anime to see go buy it.



5. this anima movie is great if you are a fan a anima or the game series.

No comments about Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Boot Camp, Vol. 1.

1 comments about Shaolin Five Animals - Leopard Fist.

1. This is a beautiful production, and I think the best one so far in the Five Animal Kungfu series dedicated to Tak Wah Eng's art. The main form is clearly shown, and can be easily learned from watching the performer. Added to this is a comprehensive basic training set to develop strenght, and flexibility, and a few fist techniques are shown in addition. Ideally, this series should delve into just that, and show short techniques based on the animal styles that could be used for two-person drills. What is shown is quality, and the only criticism I have is that I want more of it. This DVD uses the same beautiful score as the other DVD's within this series, and features high quality editing (an advance compared to earlier productions in this series). I'm looking forward to see a Crane and Snake production!

5 comments about Fist of Fury.

1. It;s supposed to be an awesome TV series about Bruce Lee's "Fist of Fury" ( "Chinese Connection" in US) played by Donnie Yen. I saw the whole series on TV. But cramping it into one 2 hour movie?!! it's not easy at all. The story line is still good (of course it's still way far if you compare it with the real 27 series/ episodes) but you can catch the resumed story. Fighting scenes are awesome but I agreed that they fastforward it as about 2-3XX on your DVD. Donnie is fast but not that fast. He was a world Tai Chi Champion. I love him in certain way he's better than Bruce Lee, in other ways, Bruce Lee is much better than him, so he just did that movie coz he appreciate Bruce Lee and Chen Jen legend. It's a tribute to Bruce Lee. Not trying to make a copycat at all. So just enjoy it as the movie itself, don't compare it to Fist of Fury by Bruce Lee (Chinese Connection), Jackie Chan (The New Fist of Fury) or Jet Lee (Fist of Legend). They all have their own positive and negative side.
   I just dissapointed with the back cover of this DVD, the show the scenes which is not in the DVD at all. They are the Korean kickboxer and Chen Jen's senior who is jealous to Chen Jen. That was two great fighting scenes in this movie but the just hook me up on the back cover, I didn't find it at all in the movie.
   Overall if you don't see the TV series, don't judge Donnie Yen and this movie, this is a pretty good movie. Thanks.



2. I finally got my hands on Donnie Yen's Fist of Fury: Sworn Revenge, which was pushed as a prequel to Bruce Lee's Chinese Connection and his own version of Fist of Fury, and I was breathless behind the storyline, the colorful characters, the Cantonese w/t English subtitles setup(authenticity), the special affects and the action. What we have here is an awesome foundation for the storyline feautured in Bruice Lee's Fist of Fury(Chinese Connection). However, the only reason I gave it a 4 out of 5 was because: (1)to quote another post, it did look more like a day time soap than an actual kung-fu flick, but with all the action, the setup becomes obsolete(lol), (2)Sworn Vengeance is somewhat of a prequel and companion to Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury, but is a much better companion to Donnie Yen's Fist of Fury considering the fact that Yen's FOF features more prior to the death of Chen's master before the famous burial scene(TEACHER! TEACHER!!!), and (3)While I enjoyed the efx, it DID look like they were fast fwd'g the action to make it look like Yen was faster than he was. Nonetheless, we have a REAL, modern day tribute to Bruce Lee's work in Fist of Fury. However, Sworn Vengeance is more of a companion to Yen's FOF than to Lee's...for a TRUE companion to Bruce Lee's Chinese Connection(Fist of Fury) I STRONGLY recommend Bruce Li's Chinese Connection 2(Fist of Fury 2). I also recommend Fist of Legend(Jet Li) which is another modern remake of Fist of Fury, but with a different twist. But to make a long story short...Fist of Fury:Sworn Vengeance + Fist of Fury = SUPERB!!! Bruce Lee would be proud!



3. After Bruce Lee's death, there were a motley crew of imposters trying to jump on the fame band wagon of the "Dragon", there was Bruce Le, Bruce Li and Dragon Le, some were good most were corny, but they were given some note of credibility; to an occidental audience due to the well known actors who worked with them in these films, (this is what made Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle a hit, by using wen Wo Ping as choreographer and veteran actors and real masters like Chiu Chi Liang and Yuen Wah.
   The most incredible thing about Bruce Lee is that some of his fight movements had to be slowed down in order to be visible to the audience,
   hence shooting scenes were the camera is obviously speeded up cheapens the integrity of the kung fu, such as in this mediocre flik and the overated Iron Monkey.



4. Out of all the Huo Yuan Jia and his student Chen Zhen films - this is by far the worst. I am so glad that Donnie has come to be a much better actor - it's a wonder anyone would cast him after this role... bad acting overshadowed his kung fu talent. The saddest part - this movie had a large budget and still couldn't compare to any of the old movies or series. Worse there is NOTHING original about this version - NOTHING. A matter of fact if you have seen the Bruce Lee version you may notice some of the same camera angles!! PS Chen Zhen never had a Japanese girlfriend (in case you were wondering). All I can say, in the words of Chen Zhen (Donnie Yen) "WOOOOOO OOOO WO OW WOO - Stay away!"



5. This is actually an edit of the 25 episode TV series Donnie Yen starred in called Fist of Fury. I wanted to point that out because the previous reviews thinks this is a standalone movie or gives that impression. This is not the case. This is essentially a part 2 to condensing the TV series. Think of the recent 'recap' DVDs put out for shows [most noted, Heroes]. Part 1 is Fist of Fury: Sworn Revenge. I give this 4 out of 5 because the series was a stage for Donnie Yen's range to shine through early in his career as an actor. I recommend this for any recent Donne Yen fan [especially in light of recent films SPL, Dragon Tiger Gate and the upcoming Flashpoint formerly called City With No Mercy] or fans that haven't seen his TV work. The commentary is a nice bonus for fans of hearing how scenes were put together and the ideas for doing what they did. If you can, try to get ahold of the actual full 25 eps. Pretty sure eng subbed versions are really rare.

5 comments about Lord of Wutang.

1. Jet Li plays Chang Mo Kei, a young fellow who was injured as a child by a life threatening Kung Fu move called the "Jinx Palm", which has made him weak and unable to learn Kung Fu. Plus on the same day his parents were both forced to commit suicide, which, as you might expect, was also no fun. Mo Kei is raised by his father's former master, a spry 100 year-old played with great aplomb by an unrecognizable, white-haired Sammo Hung, who also did a very good job as the fight choreographer for the film. The plotline is too complex to summarize, but needless to say Jet Li starts kicking ass and taking names pretty quickly. The film is of the fantastic Kung Fu variety, with people flying through the air, and using magical Kung Fu powers which put Jedi Knights and Neo to shame.
   
   "The Evil Cult" has a variety of english titles and is based on a chinese martial arts novel which hasn't been translated to any western languages as far as I'm aware. It was supposed to be the first in a trilogy, but it didn't make enough money and so even though Jet Li, Sammo Hung, and the others involved fought to make them, it never came to pass. Apparently there have been some other films and TV Series made following the same story, but the most recent TV Series from 2003 hasn't made it to North America yet.
   Still this first part of an incomplete saga is a great kung fu flick, primarily because of the incredibly quick pace, intricate plotline, bad humour, and non stop ass-kicking fun. It overwhelms the senses and if this type of flick is your cup of tea, I think you'll find this is as good as it gets. It seems to be a style of film you either get or you don't, so don't be put off by any bad reviews you see. This isn't Proust, but has its own virtues. If you like it, you likely be frustrated when it ends before resolving much of anything plot-wise, but just hold on, I'm sure they'll do a proper remake in ten years with genetic clones of the original cast or thereabouts. We'll see.



2. I didn't care for this movie the first time I watched it. It is pretty far from believable. But the 2nd time I watched it and I knew what to expect I enjoyed it a lot more. No, humans don't shoot lightning colored chi out of their hands. And people can't live being strapped to a large boulder. But it is still a good kung fu flick.
   
   This one is SUB-TITLED and sometimes hard to read. White letters on a white background. I would like to find another version of this movie that has been dubbed in English for my collection.



3. Now I will go over later about the version that I have which has very easy to read subtitles.
   
   This movie is so freaking weird, I still cannot figure out what the hell is going on. Jet li's parents are killed in a very dramatic scene, and jet gets touched by a cursed palm. The cursed palm makes it so jet cannot become good at martial arts. So guess what, he is gonna get his skills. Ya probably did not have to guess that, but this movie really goes out of it;s way for jim to learn. Definintely not your average revenge tale.
   
   So I can't tell you exactly what I liked about this film because nothing really stands out too much, but there are so many crazy things that happen it would be impossible to list half of them. So for all you people like me who are always looking for that next great hand-to-hand movie, then this is a pretty good break.
   
   Also this movie has a ton of stars in it. And it really tries to be a BIG movie, just doesn't quite live up to what it was supposed to be, but maybe it did, give your opinion.
   
   Also-the version i have comes from widesceen, good picture quality, and BLACK OUTLINED subtitles. So you won't miss a thing, the sunbs are imbedded, but are easy to read, a first in my mind. The subs do run a little fast sometimes, but you can always pause. This has Dr. Wai on the other side(unwatchable picture quality), and comes in the JET LI COLLECTION. Don't get that boxed set with twin warriors and the bodyguard, but get the one that is like 11.99, and has a disc that has early jet li footage and also has a lengthy crowd lethal weapon 4 interview.
   I would call those special features and when I classify them like that they are certainly some of the best special features that I have ever seen.
   
   So get the jet li collection that HAS 4 MOVIES IN IT. Evil Cult master, Dr. Wai(unwatchable), lee-thal weapon, and I can't remember what the early footage feature is called.
   
   Good stuff but don't buy this version unless it is longer than 103 minutes. Also people are saying you can't read the subs for this version which is a shame bacuse it didn't have enough action in it to excuse unreadable subs.



4. Of all the movies I've heard, "Lord of Wutang" is undoubtedly the one... with the fastest pace.
   
   Really. This movie never even pauses for breath, hurtling from one plot development to the next, and barely allowing the viewer to catch up. But if you can keep up with the rapid-fire pace, it's a rewardingly bizarre and comic adventure story with a fantastical little twist.
   
   As a child, Mo-Kei (Jet Li) was hit with the deadly Jinx Palm, just before the terrible deaths of his parents. Mo-Kei grows up under the tutelage of a great master, but the Jinx Palm leaves him unable to fight or have sex -- until he and the sprightly marial artist Siu Chiu (Chingmy Yau) fall off a cliff.
   
   There, Mo-Kei encounters a wacky old hermit embedded in a boulder, who teaches him the great "Solar Stance" kung-fu and cures him of the Jinx Palm. Now Mo-Kei can seek revenge for his parents' deaths, but he and Siu Chiu find themselves in the middle of a massive power struggle between the martial-arts schools, Shaolin monks, and the Evil Sect (which doesn't seem that evil).
   
   "Lord of WuTang" is really kind of confusing -- revenge vendettas spring out of nowhere, battles start without warning, and the plot is so fast-moving that the whole thing seems to be about a day and a half's worth of action -- as soon as one subplot ends, another instantly starts. And yet, somehow despite all this craziness, it's still pretty entertaining.
   
   Perhaps that's because this isn't intended to be a serious revenge epic. It has lots of verbal and physical comedy ("Get my head off of my a**!") and bizarre characters who are thrown in just to be bizarre, like the Red Cross sex freaks and the old hermit who rolls around inside a boulder.
   
   But they don't neglect the kung-fu aspect, with lots of energy blasting, flying shields, and a great fast-paced duel between Li and a roaring Shaolin monk. It strikes a pretty good balance between the fantastical violence (flying killer shields?) and the realistic stuff that looks pretty bloody.
   
   It's hard to keep the dozens of characters straight, especially since some of the girls are almost identical in dress and body language. But Li is appealing as the naive, peace-loving guy, and Yau is just as fun as his sprightly, spunky love interest. She even gets the kung-fu equivalent of a catfight.
   
   "Lord of Wutang" is almost too fast paced to follow, but it still has a bizarre charm. Definitely worth watching.... so long as you don't leave the room.



5. Many people do not know that this is only part of a 60 volume serial.
   The main reason most people are confused about what is happening is a lack of understanding about internal energy or "Chi". This is the magic of the Orient. Many various legends of certain types of "secret" Kung Fu have existed for centuries in China and the chinese audinces are not so confused by the plot line.
   If you suspend you dis-belief this is a fantastic, fuuny, deadly serious, bloody tale of sweat revenge; betrayal and ultimate victory for the underdog. I can't find a better movie that works on all these levels.
   The english sub-titles are washed out by the background in some frames but can be gleaned if the movie is watched enough which you are sure to do.

1 comments about Tai Chi Fighting Set (YMAA Taiji) 2-Person Matching Set.

1. The form on this DVD is something I had neverheard of. In fact, I was not aware that such a thing existed. It is a 2-person matching set for Tai Chi combat. Dr. Yang teaches each move one by one, with detailed applications, as one person attacks, the other defends, and then counterattacks, continuously in a beautifully flowing 'battle'. It teaches advanced concepts of neutralizing, sticking, adhering, and how to avoid double-weighting. Dr. Yang says that even beginners should view and study this form to better understand the true meaning of Taijiquan, and that you may begin to train it after you've learned any Tai Chi form, or basic Push Hands.
   
   Really nice stuff, and the DVD is very detailed, with lots of extras.

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.