No comments about Legend of Fong Sai Yuk pt. 1 & 2 (Original Edition) 2 Disc Set..

2 comments about Shaolin Legend.

1. This is the true Shaolin Kung-Fu Spectacular! It's a much better DVD than Wheel of Life. No cheesy acting, or goofball mimics. Everything is real! The stunts, and the weapons. Great Booklet to go with it.



2. The production quality is very good, and the African beat music is also very good (even if it doesn't match the sloppy gymnastics by Chinese performers), but the circus tricks are poorly done, the acrobatics are sloppy, and their supposed kung fu is attrocious.

3 comments about Rage and Honor.

1. Cynthia Rothrock is a terriffic sport Tae-kwon do champion. she does know how to fight. but she refuses to show any of her skill in her movies where every move thrown is slow and impractical. The plot of this movie is unforgivingly slow. Rothrock still tries to depend on her good looks for sales dispite that her ravishing model body has aged her into a 40 year old average woman who thows attacks the same way as would an amature. I think her name would mean a lot more if she stuck to sport competitions and stoped hurting herself making awful movies.



2. Richard Norton and Cynthia Rothrock co-starred in movies before
   "Rage and Honor", such as Samo Hung's "Millionaire's Express",
   but "Rage" established the charismatic pair as the Bogie and Bacall of martial arts movies. The chemistry of the two leads is
   undeniable in this swiftly entertaining actioner about an Australian (Norton) set up falsely for a murder charge in L.A.
   Norton's pursuit for exoneration pairs him with Rothrock in a battle against their criminal couterparts, played by Catherine Bach and Brian Thompson. Eccentric characters from the L.A. underground assist the leads in their mission, and the movie shrewdly punctuates the action-charged pace with light moments.
   An actor of integrity, Norton delivers a performance with integrity as the unfairly accused Aussie. Thanks to the appeal
   of both stars, "Rage and Honor" remains a rarely equaled martial
   arts movie, even ten years after its initial release.



3. Rage & Honor is one of those martial arts films that keeps you guessing throughout the movie - is this good or does this stink. I felt this way every other 5 minutes, convinced it was a decently made film, only to be disspointed at some point with mostly slow pacing or really low-average fight action that stars like Cythina Rothrock and Richard Norotn could do better with. But then again, the camera angles, directing, and editing wouldn't be able to show off a good fight if one was achieved. Overall, this is an average film at best, with several little disspointments thrown in.
   
   Perhaps the best thing about Rage & Honor is the story, which is not saying a whole lot. Richard Norton plays a cop named Preston, who is wanted for a drug deal shooting that went sour, involving other cops and the girlfriend of the movie's villain - Conrad Drago played by Brian Thompson (Lionheart, The Order, Mortal Kombat: Annihilation) A boy catches the whole act on tape, proving Preston's innocence, but the bad guys are desperate to get the tape into their hands. Kris Fairfield (Rothrock) comes to the aid of Preston, and eventually revealing her relation to Drago - which was a nice touch of originality. Unfortunately, pacing is very slow at times, and after an hour I was begging to see a good final fight already to save the movie.
   
   There is an average amount of fight action in the film, but everything is just an average bang-em-up fight without a whoe lot of style. Brian Thomson makes a formiddable villain, but in the end I thought he was just average too. The final fight of the film begins with Rothrock against Thomson in what is a highly unenjoyable fight due to the camera zooming way in on some shots, then way out on others. The editing is bad too, making it look like pieces of kicks and punches were thrown together. Cythina has 2 decent moves, but its not enough to call this a worthy fight. Fortunately, Richard Norton gets a chance against Thompson too, but this time everyhthing is in close & slow motion, followed by a very poorly executed finish to the fight.
   
   If not for Rothrock & Norton, this movie would bomb. They do have somewhat of a chemistry between them, which is why they have managed to appear together in other films such as the sequal to this one. Rage & Honor isn't a bad movie, its just not an exciting one. Its not overly cheesy either, except for maybe elements of the final fight. I'd watch it to see for yourself what you think, but I highly doubt a 2nd viewing would happen any time soon.

5 comments about Billy Jack.

1. I love this movie as much today as I did seeing it growing up. Ok the fact that Tom isn't hard on the eyes is one thing but I love the story line.
   I love watching him kick the crap out of the bad guys! Ok give it a break it's an old movie and the quality is that of that time era...which I would give anything to go back to. The music is good. Coven's version of One Tin Soldier is amazing. The kids in the school ...love it! Love those rebel stand up for what you believe in songs!
   Give me these good old movies over the garbage of today anytime!



2. A silly 70s propaganda film in the vein of Reefer Madness and The Eternal Jew! As a matter of fact, let's just call it Liberal Madness, because that's about all it is. I still have to give it a reasonably good star value because it is so entertaining.
   
   Billy Jack is a Native American vigilante who's only occupation is being the deus-ex-machina character in the little scuffles that a local hippy commune continually gets themselves into. The head of the commune is a homely spinster schoolmarm. Actually homely isn't strong enough, there probably isn't a word strong enough to describe her, so let's just say she looks like her face was carved out of wood with a butter knife.
   
   To fully understand this movie there are some certain rules, laws of the Billy Jack universe you have to understand. The most important rule is that all white people not of Native American descent are pure evil, redneck, axx-holes that have nothing better to do then attack hippies and Native Americans. While Native Americans, and hippies in general, are loving pacifists that merely want to do their own thing.
   
   That's basically the meat of this story, Hippies annoy rednecks, rednecks annoy the hippies back only they do a better job, and Billy Jack comes riding in on a white steed to save the day. The real joy of this movie is watching how crazy the leftist hippies are. All they do is perform weird skits, do drugs, and sing horrible off key sing-a-longs.
   
   Occasionally they go "into town" where they act weird and annoy the normal people until they can't take it anymore. Then the normals do something harmless like dump flour on them to try to coerce them to leave, and what happens? Billy Jack sticks his big nose into things and beats the crap out of them. Then the pacifist hippies cheer because it's ok that someone else used violence just as long as their hands are still clean.
   
   Even though Jesus was a pacifist, the most important pacifist ever actually, the hippies don't mind mocking him in one scene where they are preparing to do a skit about a pregnant girl. "How about the world is really fxxxed up and needs a savior...but this will be a modern one; it doesn't have to be like the old kind...Jesus."
   
   Finally the residents of the town cannot take the hippies causing them trouble all the time and they call a town meeting. This is where things really get funny. Of course if you take this movie too seriously you could become outraged at just how immature and stupid the hippies act, but I assure you, for me it's all laughs. There's actually a lot to be learned here though, as the libs to this day use a lot of these same plays and tactics. For example, when a rude hippy gives a fake name, "OK Coralis" and is chided he responds, "That is my real name! What do you have something against Mexicans? I don't see any on the board!" There's also the classic "famous quote shtick" where you take a patriotic quote out of context and ask who said it, surprise, it's Adolf Hitler or some other dictator.
   
   The ruthless and completely irreverent hippies make more and more noise and personal attacks about the town council showing complete disregard and lack of respect, even though the council is trying their best to listen to them and answer their questions the hippies only grow increasingly hateful and angry. So much for pacifism.
   
   Yadda Yadda Yadda, the tension between the hippies and the normals escalates and a war breaks out, with Billy Jack once again fighting their battles for them.
   
   The acting in this movie is beyond amateurish, it is obvious that a lot of it is just made up on the spot, or read from a cue-card as their lines come off so stiff and emotionless that it is obvious that we are watching the first take of every scene, no need to waste film after all.
   
   The lefties haven't really updated their playbook after all these years so there's a lot to learn from this little time capsule. Pair this up with the complete fools the lefties make themselves look like and you've got a fun campy classic.



3. Like many children of the 70's, I was fascinated by this yarn in the day. I saw it several times and dutifully saw "Born Losers" ( a exploitation re-release that features Billy Jack's character, and a far better film) as well as "The Trial of Billy Jack" (the third installment and even worse than this outing). Years later, it's enlightening to realize what we have outgrown from our youth. The acting, directing and production is pretty awful, but forgivable. The ideology spouted in this stinker is a fast food bastardization of the worst "hold hands and sing together" hippie trash.
   Tom Laughlin plays the title role of former Green Beret and reclusive half-breed protector of a southwestern "Freedom School" where love interest/head schoolmarm Jean (Delores Taylor) and her doltish charges harbor runaways,perform dreadful improv and guerilla theatre and generally get under the skin of redneck cowboy law enforcement in their town.
   When Jean protects the runaway daughter of local lawman, tension come to a head and Billy Jack must step away from the pacifism he and Jean cherish and lay gratuitous Kung Fu beatdowns on local bullies.For martial arts fans, the payoff are far and few, if you enjoy rape scenes ( and I sure hope you do NOT!) there are a couple of man-with-knife-doing-bad-things-to-women scenes that appear as salacious panders to this element.
   
   If watching the Freedom School kids travel around like a Marxist Partidge Family in their stupid hippie bus doesn't make you dread Flower Child nostalgia, you will surely be disgusted by the use of violence to market non-violence, the lecturing moral high ground tone of the films message and the all around insipid style of this useless atrifact.
   
   (NOTE* all martial arts in the film are performed by Laughlins stand-in, the great Master Bong Soo Han, and if you look closely you'll notice a distinct physical disimilarity between Laughlin and the man doing great roundhouse kicks)



4. You don't get/watch this movie for the production values. You don't get this movie for the 70's nostalgia or the flower-power hippie esque themes.
   
   You get this movie because of a very simple thing. Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. This movie is about having the courage to do what's right - no matter the cost.
   
   Billy Jack is the archetype of the great protector who turns to violence because sometimes it's the only way. And this movie is the 300 of the seventies.
   
   Ironic how true it all rings when we look at the battles Tom Laughlin had with hollywood and with the government when it came to making and screening the Billy Jack Movies.



5. Some reviewers are lambasting this film as being "pretentious", and otherwise unreal. Well...it IS unreal, it's a MOVIE. If it's politically incorrect, so what??? I watch movies for the entertainment factor, not the reality factor. If you want reality just turn on the 6 o'clock news. As for the karate, it must be a popular thing considering the success of Bruce Lee's films (and now Jet Li). Yeah, it's a movie about an ex Green Beret who defends the school kids because he wants them to live without having to fight the way he does...so that makes him a big brother figure trying to change the future for the kids. Come to think of it, isn't that what our government is always doing...bomb the heck out of somebody so we can live in peace??? Maybe Billy Jack should have run for president! Then he would have had political immunity and not had to go to jail.

2 comments about Small-Circle Jujitsu, Vol 1 - Foundations.

1. Small Circle Jujitsu Volume 1 by Wally Jay
   
   This is volume 1 of a 5 volume series of Wally Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu available on VHS or DVD. There is also a book by the same title written by Wally jay with easy to follow illustrations and text sold separately which can be used with these videos.
   
   Wally Jay explains and demonstrates application of force used in his small circle jujitsu, which uses the physical forces of leverage in a two way torquing rotation applied against the joints of an opponent or assailant to achieve compliance through the application and control of pain.
   
   Wally Jay lists ten principles to practice in performing Jujitsu to achieve winning results.
   
   Wally Jay explains safety principles to the viewer to observe to protect the practice partner from injury while learning or practicing Jujitsu.
   
   Wally Jay demonstrates sensitive pressure points of the body martial artists take advantage of in addition to the application of pressure of leverage upon joints.
   
   Wally Jay demonstrates an arsenal of holds, wrist locks, elbow locks, arm bars, finger locks and holds. Demonstrations of moves and techniques are detailed for maximum effect. The 5 volume series of Small Circle Jujitsu is well organized and full of information. The applications of Jujitsu moves covered are credible more oriented for self defense than for competition. Anyone practicing these moves while keeping Wally Jay's 10 principles in mind should feel confident and prepared to deal with the scenarios examplified in the video. Anyone who does practice the moves and techniques demonstrated by Wally Jay with a partner should practice slowly and with care not to injure the partner since the information contained in this video has real potential for serious injury if practiced carelessly.
   
   I think what is missing in this series is coverage on dealing with armed assailants and multiple assailants. If these things were added, the topics of self defense would seem more complete in terms of grappling solutions to assalt scenarios.
   
   The book and the VHS or DVD series complement each other very well as excellent sources of learning. I think any serious student will be satisfied with his or her purchase.
   
   Small-Circle Jujitsu
   
   Small-Circle Jujitsu, Vol 3 - Grappling Techniques
   
   Small-Circle Jujitsu, Vol 4 - Tendon, Tricep, Armbars and Armlocks
   
   Nihon Jujitsu by Norm Belsterling Volume 1
   
   Nihon Jujitsu by Norm Belsterling Volume 2
   
   Nihon Jujitsu by Norm Belsterling Volume 5
   
   Chin Na In Depth - Courses 1 - 4 (YMAA grappling)
   
   Chin Na In Depth - Courses 5 - 8
   
   Chin Na In Depth - Courses 9 - 12
   
   Comprehensive Applications of Shaolin Chin Na: The Practical Defense of Chinese Seizing Arts for All Styles (Qin Na : the Practical Defense of Chinese Seizing Arts for All Martial Arts Styles)



2. I totally enjoyed both dvd's . As a seasoned martial artist I found them to be excellent resource of original material. I happened to experience personally the Small Circle Jujitsu at a recent seminar by the Founder and son Prof. Wally Jay and Master Leon Jay. The whole series is a must in my most humble opinion.

No comments about Cross Training in the Martial Arts: The Anatomy of Combat.

No comments about Five Fingers of Death.

5 comments about Lock On: Joint Locking Essentials Volume 2: Arm Bars & Elbow Locks with Alain Burrese.

1. One thing I've personally enjoyed about all of Burrese's body of work is his no-nonsense way of presentation. From Hard Won Wisdom to Hapkido Hoshinsul, From Street Fighting Essentials to the new Lock On Series, Burrese simply knows self defense.
   
   I was excited to receive the evaluation copy of Master Burrese's new Lock On series of Hapkido Instructional DVDs. As usual, there was no let down.
   
   Throughout, Burrese keeps safety in mind. He reminds the viewer that respect for one's training partner is key. Many instructors forget this point, which could cause problems during practice.
   
   Another bonus of Burrese's work is that he packs as much information as possible into one DVD. Unlike other production companies which use fillers like promos for their other products, Burrese and Aiki Productions cram as much knowledge into each DVD as possible. As always, you get the biggest bang for your buck.
   
   The Lock On Series isn't simply for the novice practitioner. Even the seasoned Hapkidoin will find great material here as well as a good reference source. The novice will find clear, precision instruction on basics, controlling and finishing techniques. The expert will find an invaluable reference on fundamental and advanced techniques and tweaks.
   
   When watching Burrese in action, you'll notice his flow and control. Flowing, making a technique fluid and not choppy or hopping around trying to make it work, is essential in Hapkido. Burrese embodies that concept. He emphasizes proper footwork, an oft forgotten key, and whole body technique. He takes time to explain mechanics, a must for Hapkido.
   
   This isnt a simple run-down of locking techniques. This IS a Master Instructor taking the time to show you step-by-step guidance towards mastery.
   
   Kudos to Aiki Productions on clear video and audio quality. Audio quality is often lacking with many manufacturers. Aiki does an excellent job here with that as well as the graphical interface of the DVD.
   
   Melinda Kidder, Owner
   Chajonshim Martial Arts Supply



2. One of the first things that jumped out at me from the onset when I started watching Alain's "Lock On" series of DVD's was the simple yet effective approach that he took in the production and presentation of this series of DVD's. My initial impression was one of being in an actual seminar environment while Alain was teaching instead of merely watching an instructional DVD. You won't find any pointless or ineffective "bells and whistles" with this series; instead what you will find is good quality instruction covering a wide array of joint locking techniques. This particular DVD focuses on arm bars and elbow locking techniques.
   
   Alain's ability to instruct you on these simple, yet effective arm bars and elbow locking techniques is the hallmark of a good instructor and it certainly shows in this series. Alain's approach is straightforward and easy to follow as he takes you through each arm bar and elbow lock numerous times in order to teach you how to execute each technique correctly. Alain takes great care in his teachings to explain to you how some of these techniques, although they may appear to be ineffective, can actually be quite effective if applied under the right set of circumstances.
   
   I'm going to take a brief moment here to jump ahead to the end of this DVD where Alain explains the three (3) key elements that need to be present in order for these techniques to be effective. Although each one of these key elements is vitally important in their own right, none of them is exclusive in importance to the others when it comes to applying these arm bars and elbow locks effectively in a combat or self-defense situation. What you have to remember is that these three (3) key elements have to be combined in order to form a symbiotic entity that is only effective when utilized together in an efficient manner.
   
   These three (3) key elements are as follows:
   
   1. Surprise: If your opponent doesn't know what to expect, he is going to have a more difficult time defending against it. However, if your opponent knows what is coming, he is going to be more readily able to counter it, or avoid it all together.
   
   2. Speed: Executing the techniques shown on this DVD has to be done as fast as possible while still retaining the third key element, which is proper technique. If the technique is executed too slowly, then your opponent will have the opportunity to figure out what you are doing and, as in the case of surprise, be able to counter it or avoid the technique all together.
   
   3. Proper Technique: This should literally be a "no-brainer," but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. I don't know how many times I have personally seen or heard of someone trying to apply a particular technique in a given self-defense type situation when they weren't even executing the technique correctly to begin with. Alain goes to extreme lengths in this series to implore you to practice, practice, and practice, until the techniques he demonstrates become second nature to you where you can execute them correctly without thought or hesitation.
   
   Alain follows the same instructional format for each one of the various arm bars and elbow locks shown in this DVD. He starts out by explaining some of the finer points of executing each technique followed by various follow up techniques that can be used on your opponent, if it is needed, after the arm bar or elbow lock has been applied. He then shows several variations of each arm bar or elbow lock that all are based on the primary techniques that were first shown.
   
   Alain takes a very realistic approach to the use of arm bars and elbow locks and attempts to cover several influencing factors that may or may not come into play while attempting to apply them in a real life situation. I myself watched this DVD on three separate occasions and found something that I had previously missed each time. I have no doubt that were I to watch this DVD again after writing this review that I would find something else that I had previously missed.
   
   One of the many great things that I really enjoy about Alain's teaching style is his, what I like to refer to as, "nuggets of wisdom" that he injects throughout his instruction process. I too use this in my own personal style of teaching and have found that it is very effective teaching technique.
   
   I have a rather large collection of instructional videos that I have accumulate over the years and I can say without reservation that Alain's "Lock On" series is one of the best I have seen so far on the subject of joint techniques. If I were to have only one comment to make on this series, it would be this, "Hurry up and make the rest of them!"



3. This DVD is very nicely done. It is excellently produced, has decent music, good sound, a nice contrast between the white gis and the blue background, and outstanding camera angles so that viewers can easily tell what is going on. Burrese's instructions are clear, straightforward, and precise, making it easy to understand all the important points. The pacing is good too; just the right amount of explanation before each demonstration so that you will know what is going on but not be bored. These demonstrations take place at a variety of speeds from slow to fast so that viewers can get a good flavor of what it might be like to actually perform each technique.
   
   The material is logically organized from simple to complex. It begins by describing the elbow and how to best attack it and then moves on to cover basic arm bars, variations to these basics, arm bars from escort positions (common to law enforcement and security applications), step under arm bars, arm breaks, crossed arms, armpit clamp, and ground fighting. Most importantly, all the important principles that make these techniques succeed are clearly explained so that you can apply them to any lock in any martial art, not only those demonstrated here. These include such things as getting off line, blocking, trapping, spinning, striking, using your whole body weight, taking an opponent's energy, and other factors that can help stop an opponent's follow-on technique(s) while simultaneously facilitating your ability to execute the techniques successfully. Viewers will understand the angle, direction, distance, and proper finish of each application well enough to be able to troubleshoot the techniques when you practice them with a partner.
   
   While most practitioners think of arm bars as defensive techniques, I really like how these applications are demonstrated both defensively and offensively. They are shown from a variety of starting positions including from grabs and punches. The add-ons such as kicks, punches, using "found" objects like parked cars or walls, and finishing techniques add a nice progression to apply appropriate levels of force for controlling an opponent, causing pain, or damaging an adversary.
   
   Burrese moves well, explains clearly, demonstrates effectively, and ensures that viewers truly understand the materials. While no DVD is a substitute for hands-on instruction, this one is so good that it's the next best thing to being there. This is solid, practical instruction. I am confident that the rest of the series is equally outstanding as well. Highly recommended!
   
   Lawrence Kane
   Author of Martial Arts Instruction and Surviving Armed Assaults; co-author of The Way of Kata and The Way to Black Belt



4. This is the 2nd of Alain Burrese's "Lock On" series and certainly delivers what it promises. Like volume one, this DVD gives a clear and professional style of presentation in sequential form. The techniques are illustrated well, presented slowly and then quickly, at a distance and in closer detail. Burrese offers the viewer a unique sense of involvement, largely due to his presentation skills, as well as his fine knowledge of techniques. His DVDs are more like workshops than remote illustrations found in most martial arts DVDs. Volume II, as well as volume I, are fine additions to any martial artist's library. I look forward to the remainder of his series, and I understand that volume III is soon to be released. Great buy!



5. This video is by far the best Martial Arts DVD i have ever seen. It is very clean and well thought out. If you are lookin for a DVD that will help you take someone down or just to learn new move. This is the one to get.
   
   I love this DVD

1 comments about Bruce Lee, We Miss You.

1. Another great movie featuring the legendary Ho Chung Tao (aka Bruce Li)!
   I have seen at least 10 of the 30 movies that Ho Chung Tao has done. I must say, I have really enjoyed every movie!!
   This is no different. Bruce Lee We Miss You is full of fast kicks, deadly punches and sneaky grappling moves. Bruce Li is awesome as he always is in his portrayal of Bruce Lee.
   I rate this superb martial arts movie with 5 stars!
   Don't miss this one-

3 comments about Mission of Justice.

1. it's a must-see action packed martial-arts thrill ride!. Jeff wincott does battle with city scum, along with the help of the peacemakers, and his female partner played by karen sheperd(who also kicks some serious butt)!. Brigitte Nielson plays a corrupted politician who will stop at nothing to be elected mayor. you have to check out the scene where jeff wincott must pass through "the Gauntlet". it's some of the best martial arts i've seen in a long time!:-)



2. Jeff Wincott does an excellent protrayal of a cop trying to do the right thing and getting pushed around by the system. He takes matters into his own hands trying to uncover the vicious doings of a politically corrupt Brigette Nielsen. The action is intense and the storyline excellent. I would rent this again, as I would with most Wincott movies.



3. In the genre of B-action movies, Jeff Wincott's are always a bit ahead of the pack in terms of quality. Mission of Justice is one of my favorite Wincott flicks. Lots of great quailty including story, action, charcaters and acting.
   One of the best things about Wincott is that he is a much better actor than most martial artists. That acting tends to rub off in his films on the other actors, because as a whole, everyone does an ok job compared to most B-grade movies. The action is the same - top notch martial arts choreography that looks realistic. The stories are always more interesting in Wincott's movies too, and Mission of Justice is great too, and even carries a bit of suspense with it. The character list is good too - Matthias Hues (Kickboxer 2, No Retreat No Surrender 2, Blackbelt) plays the usual bad guy - one of my favorite martial art film villains. James Lew (Balance of Power, Timecop) is the second bad guy who always delivers some nice skills as well. Also starring Brigette Nielson (as the corrupt politician) and Karen Shepard, who also has some excellent fighting scenes.
   
   Again the action is great. This kind of movie doesn't require too much, for the story carries it well alone. The amount and timing of fight scenes throughout the movie is perfect. Jeff Wincott gets to fight against both James Lew, and finally Matthias Hues in the end, while Karen Shepard kick butt like crazy. But the coolest scene is when Jeff Wincott must pass through "The Gauntlet" to make it into the Mission of Justice" He takes on about 2 dozen fighters. You have to see it to believe it.
   
   Naturally, in comparison to all movies, this is an average film. But in the world of B-grade flicks, Mission of Justice gets a 5 stars for being an all-around action pleaser.