It's the holiday season, folks are out buying gifts and wonder what to get that martial artist on their list. Well, this is my list of favorite martial art films and why..
Check it out, tell me what you think.
Talk it over with your friends, students and so on. Then tell me what films you think should be
there; or make up your own list. This
should be fun. Let the discussion
begin….NOW:
- THE BIG BOSS (Fist of Fury-1971)/FIST OF FURY (Chinese Connection-1972): dir Lo Wei, starring Bruce Lee: I believe these two films are essential for understanding martial arts film genre and Bruce lee’s magic. They are, in my opinion, his best work, with FIST OF FURY (Chinese Connection) being the best. The story is excellent; Bruce shows a range that is not present in his other films. He even has a love scene or a “tender moment” with his lady. Yes they do kiss!!!! And of course, Bruce plays his character as a “psycho”; Bruce does the slow built up rage better than anyone before or since. Also, I like the fights scenes in this film because Bruce actually gets hit by his opponents. He’s not exactly superman as he is in his other films. He’s more like…Captain Marvel.
*Quick Note to parents: There is nudity in all 4 of Bruce Lee’s
movies. It may be quick, but it’s there.
- SNAKE
IN THE EAGLES SHADOW (1978) dir: Woo Ping Yuen, starring Jackie Chan: This is actually the movie that
introduced me to Jackie Chan. My
good buddy Stan Orzel, who recently did an excellent documentary on the
making of Jet Li’s latest movie HERO; and I were projectionist in
- BRIDE WITH THE WHITE HAIR I & II (1993) dir: Ronny Yu, starring Brigitte Lin: This is the one martial arts movie that guys can watch with their girlfriends, a “couple's” martial arts movie! Ronny Yu who also helmed the “Chucky" movies (Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky…) creates a fantasy world filled with a lot of great action, and an interesting love story. Great for a guy to introduce martial arts movies to his girl friend.
- SWORD OF DOOM (1966) dir: Kihachi Okamoto, starring Tatsuya Nakadai / Toshiro Mifune: A very dark movie, but Nakadai has a remarkably intense performance as sociopath samurai, one who’s mastered an “evil style” of sword fighting! He is extremely magnetic, using subtle eye movements, barely discernable mouth twitches, and an eerie stare; yeah he can scare the devil out of you. I still maintain that DeNiro, Joe Pesci and the rest want to see this film to see how to portray a sociopath; and one we will root for! *Note, Mifune’s role is barely a cameo appearance, but it is quite pivotal to the film. *Quick note: watch for the scene where Nakadai’s character takes on an entire fencing school. The choreography is incredible, camerawork is great and his movements are absolutely poetic.
- LEGEND OF NEW SHAOLIN (1994) starring Jet Li & Tse Mui; this is actually the first Jet Li film I ever saw in its entirety. Watching Jet and the Tse Mui, who plays his young son, is a fun movie to watch. It has a great story, great fight scenes and of course some comedy as well. Some of the stunts and fights have to be seen to be believed. This is the film that made me say I have to keep my eye on this guy. The chemistry between Jet and Tse is incredible.
I'll have more films next time.....
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