TOP FIVE FRIDAY WEEK 10(Mar 7) Favorite Martial Arts Films Ok, Karate Films, The big stars have to make an apperance here, so lets see which 5 make the cut. ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) Ok, lets start with the essential Bruce Lee Master piece. His one american film, completed before his death. Sent to an mysterious island to fight in a tournament as a sort of spy and revenge his family. Cool 70s music, has John Saxton fighting along side him, but whats really memorable here, is the final showdown against Han in the hall of mirrors. Han was a kick ass villian right out of a comic book or a James Bond film as one character would say. He had an interchangable hand that came in an accessory of a bear claw or 4 butcher knifes. Almost like an early Freddy Krueger, (funny that Saxton also stared in the original Elm Street) This film could have launched a franchise if it wasnt for Lees death; and its awesome cause its the peak of his talents, espcially with the nunchucks. GAME OF DEATH (1978) And because Bruce Lee is God when it comes to martial art movies, he gets a 2nd shout out for a film of which hes only in for the last 15mins. With barely a half hour of unused fight scenes for his next film, the created this last film to play on the popularity after his death. John Barry had a great score that he used for the final fights inwhich Bruce Lee is climbing a tower of villians and at each level is a different master he must defeat as he makes his way to the top. They used a look like, quick cuts from his earlier films as well as superimpossing his image on film to make this film work, and actually it does. Bruce Lee was all about challenging himself, thats why he asked Chuck Norris to come and fight it out in the Roman Collisuem in RETURN OF THE DRAGON. Norris and Lee both had different forms, but they were able to come together and learn from each other to become better. Here in GAME OF DEATH, Lee took his then student 7ft Basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, on in a fight. Kareem with his superior height had tremendous reach with his kicks, making it impossible for his opponents to get close. That was the challenge that Bruce Lee loved and sought out. Also great about the film is that it does serve as a love note for Lee highlighting his other films during the starting and closing credits. And Lee happens to wear a very cool yellow & black jumpsuit which Tarantino played homage to in KILL BILL. THE KARATE KID (1984) Classic essential 80s film with a powerful soundtrack from the guy who did ROCKY, very inspirational, although I guess you could argue theres not too many fighting scenes, nor even a fighting film, after all they are kids, but the core theme of what Martial Arts is there, so I think thats pretty important. Still, learning Karate after doing chores, was pretty cool for its time, and the Crane Kick, anytime I feel like challenging someone, I take that stand, lol. Chop Sticks & flies. Wax on Wax off. Plus, growing up, most of us have to deal with bullies and this film really plays on that aspect as well, thats why I believe the true remake of this film was NEVER BACK DOWN. BLOODSPORT (1988) Jean-Claude Van Damme in a full contact tournament. Even though I was introduced to him via LIONHEART, which I love, this one is better, probably cause it has a training montage and JVCD doing his crazy splits. And even though I love the training he goes through in KICKBOXER, BLOODSPORT nails all the right beats. A crazy assortment of fighters with their own attributes. Its a fun film and the fact that its based on a true story makes it even better. JACKIE CHANS FIRST STRIKE (1997) The other great martial artist who mixed in a great assortment of humour and did all of his own stunts. All of his movies end with a blooper reel of close calls and accidents on set. So most American audiences were introduced to him after RUMBLE IN THE BRONX, after of which came a slew of films aimed at western audiences. FIRST STRIKE is sticks to me as a favourite. Maybe because it takes place Australia, which is my ultimate place to visit. But I think the stunts are his best here. I love the ladder fight, in which he flips and moves it around for defence and as a weapon. NEXT WEEK Im thinking Non Martial Arts Fight Films, should I be able to come up with 5.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 05:12:37 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015