SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS
Stars: Fu Sheng, Chi Kun Kuan, Gordon Liu, Leung Kar Yan, Wang Lung Wei. MA rating: 2.5

Considered by many to be a classic, the early Lau Kar Leung-choreographed performances here are, by modern standards, quite dull and quite slow. Most of the good guys (FS, CKK, GL) perform hung gar (elements from tiger-crane, lau gar kune and kung gee fook foo). Fu Sheng performs the tiger-crane form repeatedly. GL gets eagle claw training (but it faintly resembles the real thing). LKY and WLL play villains with iron bodies (so they don't have to move much). CKK supposedly learns wing chun, but the wing chun training consists entirely of body-piercing one-inch finger strikes (not really wing chun).

Laughably, CKK's sifu is guy who plays the fat Japanese villain from "Chinese Connection". This film is for the bored, and for avid Shaw Brothers collectors only.

GAME OF DEATH
Stars: Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee imitators, Dan Inosanto, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Chi Hon Choi, Bob Wall. MA rating: 4

Despite the cheesiness of the Bruce Lee imitators and special effects
meant to hide the unconvicing appearance of these players (sunglasses, back of the head camera angles), this is a fun romp that captures some aura of Lee, some atmosphere of Hong Kong of the late 1970s, and a story that (if you accept the campiness) is enjoyable.

Sammo Hung does a nice job choreographing the imitators in Lee-isms (although he does a much better job himself; see "Enter the Fat Dragon"), a few of whom are decent tae kwon do-style kickers. Sammo has a cameo and lets himself get beaten by an over the hill Bob Wall.

The last ten minutes of pure Lee is worth the wait. This film is a far cry from Lee's original concept for the film. What remains of it, the finale, is enlightening and contains some JKD that is less filtered than in other Lee films.

Against Inosanto (the escrima and nunchaku expert), Lee disarms with a bamboo cane (unfortunately, we don't get Lee doing escrima) to battle with nunchakus. Against Chi Hon Choi (hapkido), Lee employs clever distance-closing/direct and indirect attacks, and a variety of throws (not seen in any other Lee films). Against Jabbar, Lee uses his surroundings (sunlight, stairway), and ends the duel with groundfighting and chokeholds.

FISTS OF THE WHITE LOTUS
Stars: Lau Kar Fei (Liu Chia Hui), Lo Lieh, Wai Ying Hung. MA rating: 5

A pure kung fu movie with one of those great stories that is technique- inspired. After Lau pursues White Lotus (chi kung) master Lo Lieh with hung gar (tiger crane, done skillfully), he goes away to train in new variations of tiger crane. He also turns to Wai Ying Hung (one of the great kung fu movie women ever), who teaches him a soft woman's style of kung fu (a mu lan/wu shu variation), and a doctor who shows him how to attack acu-points. As with so many Lau Kar Leung-choreographed films, this one is full of martial arts lessons about intentionality, sensitivity, and hard vs. soft technique. This is one of Lo Lieh's absolute finest performances. A superb classic.

REAL KUNG FU OF SHAOLIN
Stars: unknowns from mainland China. MA rating: 4.5

Early 80s mainland production that has similar feel as Shaolin Assassin and also features unknown but very good wu shu performers. The hero of this one reminds of Don Wong (Wang Tao) in his prime, with similar Shaolin-based moves (not wu shu; something more practical). But this guy is faster and more skilled. Plenty of temple training sequences early on. Shot on location in the Kaifeng/Loyang/Shaolin temple area of China.

BLACK CITY
Stars: many punks and Donnie Yen. MA rating: 2

A cheapo attempt to cash in on the 'Young & Dangerous' wave, this ensemble
caper about a bunch of teenage/young adult idiots and smartass toddlers ("Ho wah! Ho wah! Tee hee!") is worthless. Donnie has a minor role and throws his
usual moves, but as usual, there is not nearly enough of him. (He must have
needed the cash.)

I WILL FINALLY KNOCK YOU DOWN, DAD
Stars: Chin Siu Ho, Ko Fei, Chen Kuan Tai. MA rating: 5

Get past the goofy title, and this is a gem. Done in the early 1980s, this comedy introduced a young Chin Siu Ho as a Yuen Biao-type comedy fighter. Indeed, Chin's acting and kung fu here are VERY similar to Yuen's early work (probably because Shaw Brothers wanted to compete with their cross Hong Kong rivals). So is the story, reminiscent of "Prodigal Son". Chin, Ko Fei and (surprisingly) Chen Kuan Tai show off very crisp, acrobatic, intricately-choreographed old school kung fu that is satisfying. Highly entertaining. It is too bad Chin Siu Ho never followed this performance with more pure martial arts films.

POSTMAN STRIKES BACK
Stars: Leung Kar Yan, Chow Yun Fat, Eddie Ko Hung, Yuen Yat Chor. MA rating: 2

Directed by Ronny Yu and choreographed by Yuen Wo-Ping, this tale about a
bunch of bandit-fighting couriers (mailmen) during the early days of the
Chinese republic is a listless bore. The cast literally wanders through the
countryside, and the bandit finale is predictable and boring. The film
demonstrates the ugly truth that Chow Yun Fat knows how to leer, smoke, wear
scarves and act cocky, but he lacks the physical skills for MA movies. He is
naked without his guns, pigeon flocks and slow motion. Thankfully, his
character gets what he deserves---a whipping. The other cast members have
brief scenes but they are roughly choreographed (simple, uninteresting). A
bad movie.

KILLER IN WHITE
Stars: Tung Wei, Yam Sai Koon, Roy Chiao. MA rating: 3.5

A strange film that doesn't know what it wants to be. Part bumpkin/gambling
comedy, part whodunit. Except for a few good Tung Wei sequences (he is very acrobatic, as he was in "Incredible Kung Fu Master"), not much MA until the end, which is bloody and sloppy.

REVENGER
Stars: Ti Lung, Tam Tao Liang, Hsu Feng. MA rating: 3.5

Boring and confusing Taiwanese production in which Ti Lung plays two parts,
father as well as son. Cheesy special effects (smoke, explosions, etc.) and
way too many robed characters (plus a few obligatory "drunken" old guys)
coming out of the woodwork. But if you can stay awake, there are some
interesting MA sequences. The last ten minutes is one long battle. This is a
weapons/swordplay heavy movie, thus you get Ti Lung with a variety of swords and spears, and one empty hands scene. Compared to his other films, this is mid-grade Ti Lung. He faces a villain in the end who does a nice job with a three section staff. Tam has a bit part and throws a few wheel kicks and gets killed.

STORY OF RICKY
Stars: Fan Siu Wong, Yakuri Oshima. MA rating: 0

Based on the Japanese comic book "Rikki O", this is one bizarre 'future
prison' gore-fest (enviscerations, eyeball pop-outs, etc.) that has
scarcely any MA. Fan Siu Wong is a MA god, and Oshima does a few kicks,
but it's primarily humorous special effects B.S..

SPY IN THE PALACE
Stars: unknowns from mainland China MA rating: 4

Mainland Chinese kung fu films have often been better than those from HK or
Taiwan simply because the attitude is different. Stories are serious (based
on Chinese literature).There are no preening 'movie stars', and those who do
star are typically serious wu shu players. This very old and appropriately
dusty-feeling picture (at least ten years old?) distributed by SMO Video fits
the bill. Based on an novel about a Sung dynasty patriot who infiltrates a
Kam (barbarian) clan to retrieve a statue, it feels somewhat like some of the
very early Shaw pictures. Kung fu is early wu shu (think pre-Jet Li; more
basic and not as fancy). Lots of swordplay. Some overuse of slow-mo shots of
players somersaulting over things, but I had fun with this adventure.

FORBIDDEN IMPERIAL TALES

Stars: ? MA rating: quantity-1, quality-4

This nicely-done epic about a eunuch in the dying years of the Ching dynasty
is not a kung fu movie. However, there are two excellent kung fu scenes. One
has the imperial guards performing a hsing-i form at the Forbidden City. The
other is a fight in a brothel. Worth a look.

SWORDSMAN II
Stars: Jet Li, Lam Ching Hsia. MA rating: 0

A happy go-lucky Jet Li flies around, goofs around and does...no martial arts
per se. Imagine the flirting and SPFX scenes from "Kung Fu Cult Master" for
two hours. This movie is preposterous, and all about annoying smug Lam Ching
Hsia. A waste of time and talent.

STORY OF FONG SAI YUK
Stars: Meng Fei, Yasuki Kurata, Tam Tao Liang. MA rating: 3

This late 90s reissue is actually a compilation that jams together an edited
version of the first ever "Fong Sai Yuk" movie (early 1970s) starring a very
young Meng Fei and Kurata (as the evil villain), and a later installment
starring a mature Meng Fei and TTL. Part one is the classic and a sentimental
favorite. Although the martial arts are crude and brutal (as early "chop
sockys" tend to be), the story of Fong's obsessive training for revenge hits
home. The second installment has Meng Fei taking the character more into Fu
Sheng's version (I'm not sure who came up with the funny/cocky riff first).
He is a Shaolin agent infiltrating the household of a Shaolin traitor,
disguised as a servant. Non descript martial arts, slightly updated. TTL
shows up to throw his trademark wheel kicks.

HELLS WIND STAFF
Stars: Yuen brothers, Mung Hoi, Hwang Jang Lee. MA rating: 5

Very enjoyable late 1970s classic featuring typically complex choreography
(no identifiable styles), great kicks from HJL and lots of acrobatics (no
wires). Belongs in the same category as "Knockabout", "Drunken Master", etc.
Comedy that gets somewhat serious with training and revenge. Highly
recommended.

BRUCE KING OF KUNG FU
Stars: Bruce Le, Hwang Jang Lee. MA rating: unrated

For martial arts, there is only a long haired HJL, who (as usual) kicks
great. That's it. But for 1970s campiness, this is a high achievement. A
Bruce clone pursues a syndicate in Hong Kong, Paris and Rome (where, of
course, he MUST have a duel in the Coliseum). Chugging wah-wah guitars, bell
bottom jeans, stereotyped Italian mobsters with cigars, bad dubbing, horrible
Bruce Lee imitation from Bruce Le (big sunglasses, making out with white
girls, woooo aaahhh!, etc.) Coliseum finale is embarrassing (HJL is far
superior, natch.) I have not laughed this hard in months.

MURDER OF MURDERS
Stars: Chik Kun Kwan, Lo Lieh. MA rating: 1

Chik, one of the staples of Chang Cheh's Shaw Brothers crew, is one of the worst actors without a doubt. He struck out on his own after he left Shaw, and made some horrible films like this sleep-inducing court intrigue. Chik is slow, not fluid and when nothing else works, he tiger claws the air (a bit of hung gar), then resumes the bad choreography. Nothing else to say, except Wu Ma directed it.

HOCUS POCUS
Stars: Lam Ching Ying, Tung Wei, Sammo Hung stuntman association. MA rating: 5

If you love martial arts movies that feature excellent Peking/Cantonese
opera, this one will satisfy. Although generally lumped into the "horror/ghost" category, this mid-1980s production from Sammo Hung's crew is a period opera/martial arts comedy first and a ghost/possession movie second. Almost all of the "supernatural" stunts are stuntwork (acrobatics not special effects). You will recognize many of the players from other Golden Harvest/Sammo films of the era. Fight scenes galore, including one of the last truly MA-oriented performances by Lam Ching Ying, and Tung Wei (who plays the Yuen Biao-type cocky young guy).

7 GRANDMASTERS
Stars: Jack Long (Lung Kun Kung), Lee I Min. MA rating: 5

Old school classic directed by Joseph Kuo. An aging pak mei (white eyebrow style) master played by Jack Long wants to retire as the master of seven provinces, but receives a final challenge on retirement day. To be sure he has earned the title, he revisits and rechallenges various masters. The first half is extremely enjoyable, with Long involved in duel after duel. Second half is less interesting, as Long's character becomes "ill", but accepts a new student, Lee I Min (who is actually being set up by an old foe of Long's to kill Long, using lost pak mei techniques). The MA is excellently choreographed, but moves do not resemble any real pak mei I have seen. Lee I Min is annoying as an actor (and his prominence over the superior Long in the second half is irritating) but it is hard to deny his agility and speed. A great deal of duels, training sequences.

MISSION KISS AND KILL
Stars: Lee I Min, Lung Fei. MA rating: 3

Lee I Min and a guy who looks exactly like him (an actor who would later play Jet Li's buddy in "My Father is A Hero") play a pair of "cocky" Fu Sheng/Jackie types. A lot of dumb boy-girl "humor". Finale has the boys fighting Lung Fei, who uses (ridiculously fake) 'crab' techniques. Acrobatic, flowery old school kung fu movie fighting, with no identifiable styles to speak of. THe most physically impressive player is Lung Fei.

POSSESSION OF GHOST
Stars: familiar but unknown faces. MA rating: 4.

Despite the title, this is NOT a ghost movie. Rather it is 95% martial arts comedy, and 5% "wizardry" (a villain who mixes wizardly spells with MA). This Taiwanese film is directed by Sammo Hung (who hides behind the pseudonym "Gum Bo" in the credits). Synopsis: a wacky/nuts expatriate Shaolin monk trains five fighters in various "styles" of kung fu including flying, gymnastics (precursor to 'Gymkata'), etc. One of the heroes may be a young Alexander Lo. This guy has moves, including great kicks. Same for the white-haired villain. Although plenty of action, film suffers from a little too much silliness and not quite enough serious MA.

CALL ME DRAGON
Stars: Leung Siu Lung (Bruce Liang), Yasuki Kurata. MA rating: 5

Directed by Ng See Yuen, this is a tour de force for the two stars. Certainly one of the best performances of Leung's career (which was marred by one too many Bruce Lee imitation attempts and bad scripts). In this one, he is not a Lee-alike, but a Robin Hood-type character who goes up against a corrupt town and a Japanese heavy (Kurata). Very fast and explosive kicks from both stars. Highlights: Leung's great chain kicking, jumping/spinning, big jumping
spinning crescent kick. Simple fast hands (not old Chinese style).Tonfa vs. nunchaku. Long fight scenes.

SEVEN BLOWS OF THE DRAGON (WATER MARGIN)
Stars: David Chiang, Guk Fung, Ti Lung, and many other Shaw Bros. ensemble. MA rating: no rating

Classic early Chang Cheh epic. I recommend this film more as an adaptation of
the famous Chinese adventure novel than as a MA film. The MA is restricted
primarily to weapons, and the techniques used are on the crude side (the film
was produced before very stylized and acrobatic MA was the vogue).
Interesting to see the huge cast of Shaw Bros. players before they were
stars.

HOLY VIRGIN VS. EVIL DEAD
Stars: Donnie Yen, Mak Tat Law, Ken Lo
MA rating: 4
Try to look past the lightweight supernatural/spooky aspects of this one, and
it is a cop movie which features three of the early '90's best modern film
fighters. Although not a whole lot of MA, enough to show off the kickboxing
skills of all three.

ACTION TAE KWON DO CRUSH (CHINESE TAE KWON DO)
Stars: Pai Piao. MA rating: 2

These two early 1970s "chop sockeys" were probably shot at the same time,
because the locations are identical. Both feature Pai Piao as a skilled
Chinese fighter visiting Korea, and helping Korean freedom fighters fight off
dastardly Japanese soldiers. Pai Piao looks tough, but his form here is very
crude (he would later do much better stuff for Shaw Brothers). Some of the
fights are sloppy and last forever (a common problem in pre-Bruce Lee era
films). The most interesting aspect: some of the Korean players were true TKD
stylists and good kickers. Although not up to the choreography standards of
post-Bruce Lee era, you can see some proper TKD form. One Korean cast member
that is recognizable later appeared in many Taiwanese kung fu movies.

10 BROTHERS OF SHAOLIN
Stars: Wong Tao, Chang Yi. MA rating: 3

A very typical mid-1970s Taiwanese production with typical Ming/Shaolin
rebels clashing with Ching generals and soliders. Many, many "treks through
the countryside", ambushes, etc. Shaolin techniques consist of basic hung gar
(southern siu lum). Chang Yi (as usual) does mantis.

BALLISTIC KISS
Stars: Donnie Yen, Yu Rong Guang. MA rating: no rating

This was Donnie Yen's directoral debut, with a story written by Bey Logan (a
martial artist, martial arts film author and MA film fighter). Thought
unsuccessful at the box office and critically not favored, I enjoyed it
immensely. Yes, it suffers from Donnie trying too hard for "modern HK style"
with too many weird camera angles, too many closeups, people in sunglasses
against darkly green backgrounds, odd pacing, etc. It succeeds, however, as a
brooding, very dark, intense and violent story about a lone hitman with a
tortured soul. Unlike, say, Jet Li's "Hitman", there is no brightness here---no humorous sidekicks or Simon Yam cameos to mess up the mood. Perhaps the HK critics couldn't take it. Lots of guns, occasional flashes of MA by Donnie amidst the gunplay (kicks, breaks, joint locks), but it's primarily a
character study. If you like Donnie, and you're in a pissed off mood, I
recommend it.

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