Kung Fu Espresso!!

[mickey]

Greetings Jimbo,

You forgot to number your last post.

283: Ed Parker in "The Revenge of the Pink Panther". This was the first time I saw Ed Parker in action. I remember being incredibly impressed. Looking at the choreography now, I see an advanced understanding of camera angles that was not in wide use at the time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyULfr9DKmc

Though credited to the same movie, I do not remember Ed Parker having lines in the movie. Nor do I remember this scene. Still, it is hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diVj0HztoxM


mickey

[Jimbo]

[QUOTE=mickey;1166643]Greetings Jimbo,

You forgot to number your last post.[QUOTE]

Thanks, mickey. Corrected.

I remember seeing Ed Parker in person several times at his Long Beach Internationals over a few years' period. Saw him actually perform only once, in around 1981. He was very fast. At that time, I was still a practicing Kenpo black belt. Kenpo gets some flack on these forums, but I'm certain Ed Parker could have handled himself very, very well. Although I must admit, I've never seen any Kenpo fighters actually fight exactly like the Kenpo self-defense techniques. Except probably Steve Sanders. Anyway, it all comes down to the instructor, the practitioner, and the training methods, just like any other MA system.

[Jimbo]

284 - The Boxer From Shantung (1972) Full movie.

Starring: Chen Kuan-Tai, Cheng Hong-Yip, Ching Li, David Chiang, Tang Yen-Tsan, Leung Gwing-Wan, Ku Feng, Chiang Nan, Feng Yi, Wang Chung, Wang Ching, Tin Ching, Mario Milano (as the Russian wrestler), Yen Shi-Kwan, Hsu Hsia. Directors: Chang Cheh, Pao Hsueh-Li. Martial arts direction: Lau Kar-Leung, Lau Kar-Wing, Tang Chia, Chen Chung.

This is a classic and one of Chang Cheh's best films. This is the movie that catapulted Chen Kuan-Tai to leading-man stardom. Though the fights lack the slickness or the "shapes" that would come into vogue only two years later, the story, acting and violent intensity are all top-notch, as well as the excellent cinematography. English subs with CC.

(End fight; Chen Kuan-Tai vs. Wang Ching, Ku Feng, Tin Ching, Feng Yi, Chiang Nan, etc.)

Although the end fights starts @ 1:46:15, it's definitely worth watching the full movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7uoXPQ3nLk

[Jimbo]

285 - Shaw Brothers 'Shaolin Cycle'

A nice tribute featuring clips from Chang Cheh's Shaolin Cycle of films, which ranged from 1974 through '76. Featuring Fu Sheng, Chi Kuan-Chun, Gordon Liu, Leung Kar-Yan, Chen Kuan-Tai, Li Yi-Min, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Lau Kar-Wing, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=4Ff61mc849Y

[mickey]

Greetings Jimbo,

Initially, I thought this was the Chen Kuan Tai film, Man of Iron. Interestingly, they were made in the same year.

I think the character played by Chen Kuan Tai in Boxer From Shantung actually existed. I remember being told about a Ma Yu Chin, a very good Shaolin fighter. And it could be the same person mentioned in the CCTV documentary on Tan Tui. This may explain some of the moves used in the choreography.


mickey

[Jimbo]

Hi, mickey.

It could be, but the film character's name is actually Ma Yung-Chen. I think they would have used the actual name Ma Yu-Chin if that was who he was playing, like they do with Hung Hsi-Kuan (Hung Hei-Goon), Wong Fei-Hong, etc. But a good call, nonetheless.

When watching The Boxer from Shantung (Shandong), you can clearly see the influence it had on John Woo, who assisted Chang Cheh on the film. There are similarities to Woo's gangster films, such as The Killer, Bullet in the Head, etc. In fact, I consider Boxer from Shantung as more of a gangster film than a kung fu movie. Except that instead of guns, they use fists, axes and knives.

286 - Yuen Biao music video tribute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VfU8tAJABA

I'm among those who firmly believe that Yuen Biao was better than Jackie Chan in terms of physical talent. However, JC was considered to have more charisma and cross-over appeal. I usually found the lack of charisma argument odd, because in his time, Yuen Biao was a good actor with his own type of charisma. One could argue that Yuen had better acting chops than the generation of MA film stars today.

[Jimbo]

287 - John Liu music video tribute

John Liu was one of the most prolific onscreen 'kickers' of the '70s into the early '80s. In spite of having a fairly limited arsenal of moves, he was able to really showcase his talents, and was usually in good to excellent KF films. Of course, he was known for his trademark right leg, with probably 90% of his kicks coming from that side. He was one of the very few performers who could share the screen equally with Hwang Jang-Lee during their onscreen clashes, which was no small feat/feet...pun intended. Unfortunately, John Liu never appeared in any Shaw Brothers or Golden Harvest productions. All of his work was with independent studios (including HK's Seasonal Films).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3lqoL7DPtQ

[Jimbo]

288 - The Savage Five (1974) full movie

Starring: David Chiang, Ti Lung, Chen Kuan-Tai, Li Hsiu-Hsien (Danny Lee), Wang Chung, Wang Ping-Ping, Chiang Tao, Wang Ching, Frankie Wei, Lu Ti, etc. Directed by Chang Cheh. MA choreography by Tang Chia, Lau Kar-Leung, Ho Chih-Chiang.

The Savage Five appears very much inspired by The Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven, The Dirty Dozen, and possibly The Professionals (1966). Also, the Spaghetti Western influence is obvious. The soundtrack of The Return of Ringo, by Ennio Morricone, is put to great use.

Choreography-wise, this was in the transition period where the MA action was becoming more intricate/stylized, and away from the "basher" style prevalent in the early '70s. Ti Lung's fights are particularly noteworthy. The story, pacing, etc. are top-notch. The characterizations here are nicely developed, unlike some later Chang Cheh films of the late '70s/early '80s which, although entertaining, the characters in them became less 'real' and more impersonal, almost mechanical.

*End fight begins @ 1:20, but it's best to watch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i74GLQqeKYc

[mickey]

289- Brutal Boxer (1972): Chen Sing, Raymond Liu:

Also known as Bloody Fingers, this was supposed to be the bloodiest flick ever produced. Though the choreography was not the greatest, a stand out was a cameo of a Thai boxing champion. He was actually promoted in the trailers. Up until this time, kung fu film fans were limited to the Thai boxing seen in the Chinese Professionals. And the Thai boxing displayed in that film generated a lot of talk amongst those bitten with the kung fu film bug. Well this guy, with his cameo, pretty much steals the moment. He handled the choreography really well. It was such that I had to see the movie again just to see him in action. His scene begins at 8:15:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur9ZE...feature=relmfu

(this is part three of the movie)


mickey

[Jimbo]

290 - Sammo Hung Tribute

Another excellent tribute, this time to the 'Big Brother' of HK action cinema.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_TrMahkuvo

[mickey]

291- By The Sword, F. Murray Abraham, Eric Roberts

A trailer was posted earlier on this thread. This is the FULL MOVIE. It is well worth your time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2LdNTg_OFw


mickey

[Hebrew Hammer]

290 - Sammo Hung Tribute

Another excellent tribute, this time to the 'Big Brother' of HK action cinema.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_TrMahkuvo

That tribute was too short, Sammo one of my all time favs...I always love an athletic portly guy...the Tony Gwynns, Babe Ruths, Jerome Bettis, Natrone Means, etc...not that I resemble them!

Jimbo, do you know which movie was the one with Sammo and the 3 section staff? I love that weapon and want to watch more of that flick.

[Jimbo]

That tribute was too short, Sammo one of my all time favs...I always love an athletic portly guy...the Tony Gwynns, Babe Ruths, Jerome Bettis, Natrone Means, etc...not that I resemble them!

Jimbo, do you know which movie was the one with Sammo and the 3 section staff? I love that weapon and want to watch more of that flick.

HH,
The movie is The Victim. Also starring Leung Kar-Yan.

Sammo is also one of my favorites...at the top of my list, in fact, along with Fu Sheng, Lau Kar-Leung, Hwang Jang-Lee, etc.

Edit to add: Props to kingofkungfu2002, the gentleman who compiled this and many of the other tribute vids I've posted links to. It's clear that he puts a lot of thought and work into them.

[Jimbo]

292 - The Fearless Duo (1979)

(End fight; Lau Ka-Yung, Yuen Chu, and Yuen Qiu vs. To Wai-Woo, Hwang Jang-Lee, etc.)

*end fight begins @ approx. 8:00*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QFPq...feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk0mA...feature=relmfu

This is an extremely long end fight, one which is especially notable for giving Yuen Qiu (playing the older sister) a good showcase for her onscreen staff fighting. Yuen Qiu, a veteran of many old-school KF films, is most familiar to younger viewers for her role in Kung Fu Hustle. She was also one of the "Bond girls" in 1974's The Man With the Golden Gun.

Hwang Jang-Lee's screen time comes more towards the end, but when it finally does, he once again shows why he was the most dominant onscreen villain of the KF movie era. When his end comes (as it inevitably does), it's far from convincing (as it usually is). But in the meantime, he still gets to unleash those amazing, trip-hammer kicks.

[mickey]

Greetings Jimbo,

I took myself to see The fearless Duo for my birthday many years ago. I was in the theater with a bunch of kung fu movie fanatics and the smell of pot was all around me. I mean, ALL AROUND ME. Then Hwang Jang Lee uttered the most classic line for the day. In response to getting the old master hooked on opium he said, "One puff of this and he's hooked for life!" Just about everybody's hand shot up in the theater screaming "I want some!" "Give me some!" It was a wild and hilarious moment. I did not have to worry about anyone going off in that theater because they were all toked up and toasted.

mickey