Listmania!
SOME OF THE BEST KUNG FU FIGHTING---Old School
By an Amazon.com customer
The Chinese ConnectionThe Chinese Connection
Buy used from: $5.01
My favorite Bruce Lee film.
Young MasterYoung Master
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $3.02
Classic Jackie Chan comedy from the good old days. Whang In-Sik is the bad guy.
Heroes TwoHeroes Two
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $6.18
This time Fu Sheng (as Fang Fhih-Yu) teams up with Chen Kuan-Tai playing Hung Si-Kuan for a change. Really nice features on this new dvd.
Sun DragonSun Dragon
Buy used from: $3.51
Billy Chong, the Superstar who never was--and Carl Scott too!
Heroes of the EastHeroes of the East
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $2.58
aka SHAOLIN CHALLENGES NINJA. Wonderful comedy about marital strife between a Chinese martial artist and his contentious Japanese karetaka wife.
Mad Monkey Kung FuMad Monkey Kung Fu
Liu Chia-Liang stars in, choreographed, and directed this--the only trouble was he had a co-star Hsiao Ho as Little Monkey who all but steals the show from him. I love to watch the old master work myself--not that he was old at the time of this film, so why should he have to bow out?
Jackie Chan's Police Story (Special Collector's Edition)Jackie Chan's Police Story (Special Collector's Edition)
Buy used from: $3.59
Jackie play's a cop who get's stuck guarding a mob kingpin's secretary. He spend's the majority of the picture defending himself from her, defending her from those who would silence her, and defending himself from his own jealous girlfriend.
Enter the Fat DragonEnter the Fat Dragon
Buy used from: $7.74
Sammo plays a Bruce Lee fan who basically relives the events in WAY OF THE DRAGON, aka RETURN OF THE DRAGON. I'v always enjoyed Sammo, maybe even more than Jackie Chan since Sammo isn't exactly what you would call pysically gifted.
Kung Fu ZombieKung Fu Zombie
Buy used from: $6.97
The Billy Chong film list isn't a long one, so everything amazon currently carries will be on my list. Even bad Billy Chong is dynamic entertainment. This entry takes advantage of the HONG KONG HORROR/COMEDY/KUNG FU CRAZE.
Bruce Lee - Fists of FuryBruce Lee - Fists of Fury
Buy used from: $1.24
YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FIRST TIME FONDLY, AND THIS WAS MY FIRST BRUCE LEE FILM.
Ong-Bak - The Thai WarriorOng-Bak - The Thai Warrior
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $2.00
Tony Jaa does his considerable best to show us what Muay Thai is all about. The story is about a young man on a mission to rescue the head of his village's god, Ong Bak. Everyone seems to think its his character's name. Its not.
Return of the DragonReturn of the Dragon
Buy used from: $11.49
Originally meant as a comedy, this was released with many of the comedic scenes deleted in the U.S. since it wasn't believed that American audiences would get the jokes.
Shaolin Martial ArtsShaolin Martial Arts
Buy used from: $66.00
Chi Kuan-Chun and Fu Sheng team up. One of the first of Chang Cheh's epic films to concentrate on learning specific styles of kung fu in order to defeat specific opponents.
Dragons ForeverDragons Forever
Buy used from: $35.00
The gang's all here again--Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Yuen Biao! This time Jackie is a lawyer who isn't thrilled with type of clients he's being forced to represent, so he hires Sammo and Yuen Biao to help him take the sleaze-balls down. Far from their best work, but there's so much energy in it that I just can't help liking it.
Snake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's Shadow
Buy used from: $4.50
Ng See Yuen wisely released Jackie Chan from the imitation Bruce Lee mold. Here he stars as an orphan befriend by an old man who is the last surviving master of the snake fist school which evil Huang Cheng-Li is trying to destroy. Some versions omit the scene where Jackie learns Kitty Cat style which proves to be the extra oomph he needs to defeat the villian.
The Secret Rivals (Enter The Silver Fox)The Secret Rivals (Enter The Silver Fox)
Buy used from: $6.95
If you like leg fighting (and I LOVE leg fighting) then this one is for you. John Liu and Don Wong-Dao go at it great guns.
Invincible ArmourInvincible Armour
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $4.91
The magnificent John Liu and Don Wong-Dao double team the always fearsome Huang Cheng-Li who has learned a couple of new tricks for this flick. This was the first movie in which i saw the Chinese hook swords employed.
Black Belt Theatre: Kung Fu from Beyond the Grave/Chinese VampireBlack Belt Theatre: Kung Fu from Beyond the Grave/Chinese Vampire
Buy used from: $0.99
More horror/kung fu/comedy from my boy Billy Chong.
Jackie Chan's Project AJackie Chan's Project A
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.79
Far and away my favorite film starring Chan, Sammo, and Yuen Biao. Here Chan is a member of Hong Kong's turn of the century Coast Guard fighting pirates. This films has everything I could ever want from these guys in just the right balance; fights, comedy stunts--Perfection!
When Taekwondo Strikes (Legendary Collection Edition) DVDWhen Taekwondo Strikes (Legendary Collection Edition) DVD
Often touted as Angela Mao-Ying's best film. Aka STING OF THE DRAGONMASTER.
Jet Li's Fearless (Unrated Widescreen Edition)Jet Li's Fearless (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $13.99 / Used from: $1.00
No Retreat No Surrender [VHS]No Retreat No Surrender [VHS]
Buy used from: $8.95
Best known for being the film that introduced Jean-Claude Van Damme to American audiences, this Ng See Yuen production was filmed in Seattle and co-starred Kim Tae-Chong as the spirit of Bruce Lee who helps a tortured teenager find his inner warrior. Kim Tae-Chong, of course, was the best of the Lee look-alikes in GAME OF DEATH.
Jade Claw [VHS]Jade Claw [VHS]
Buy used from: $4.99
Once called "The best of the Jackie Chan imitators" because of this film, Billy Chong frequently comes off looking even better than Jackie did. This is bascially another rip-off in the SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOWN, DRUNKEN MASTER, FEARLESS HYENA vein, but with some differences--it stars an exceptionally good martial artist, co-stars, Simon Yuen, and was produced by the Yuen family.
Broken OathBroken Oath
Differing opinions on this one. Some say its far from her best work while other proclaim it a masterpiece of the genre. One thing for certain, Sammo Hung doesn't exactly make his presence known in this film.
Fistful of Talons (Sub Ep) [VHS]Fistful of Talons (Sub Ep) [VHS]
Buy used from: $1.99
More Billy Chong. There are those who say that his is his very best film, and those of us who say they are nuts. Get them all and decide for yourself! Even a mediocre Billy Chong flick still stars Billy Chong!
The 36th Chamber of ShaolinThe 36th Chamber of Shaolin
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $3.00
Heralded as a must see by one and all, starring the ubiquitous Gordon Liu Chia-Hui with none other than Liu Chia-Liang at the helm and providing the choreography.
Legendary Weapons Of China / Shaw Bros / Special EditionLegendary Weapons Of China / Shaw Bros / Special Edition
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $10.32
Liu Chia-Liang didn't like doing comedies, but that's exactly what we have here. It takes place during the Boxer Rebellion and all serves to build up to the last 20 minutes or so which is a wepons extravaganza--a duel ot the non-death between Liu Chian-liang and Liu Chia-Yung that is simply not to be missed and employes everything up to and including magic.
Enter the Dragon (Two-Disc Special Edition)Enter the Dragon (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $3.99
I'm in a minority since I actually believe this film to be a second rate effort lifted to greatness only by the force of Bruce's presence.
Fearless HyenaFearless Hyena
Buy used from: $7.00
This list is totally subjective. What can I say?
Wheels on MealsWheels on Meals
Buy used from: $8.00
Jackie, Sammo, and Yuen Biao do a modern take on The Three Musketeers in Barcelona, Spain, with Benny Urquidez as one of their formidable opponents.
Wing ChunWing Chun
Buy new: $21.49
Donnie Yen is a little confused, but then who wouldn't be when Michelle Yeoh gets ticked off and decides to fight back againsts all the bad guys who are taking advantage of her village? AFTER ALL, THAT'S NOT A WOMAN'S PLACE.
Magnificent ButcherMagnificent Butcher
Buy new: $9.98 / Used from: $3.23
Sammo Hung is number one student to Cantonese folk hero Wong Fei-Hung played here one more time by the famous Kwan Tak-Hing. Who cares what its about, its all in the way that its done.
Treasure HuntersTreasure Hunters
Buy used from: $6.00
Aka MASTER OF DISASTER which is the title under which all the reviews appear for the VHS. Fu Sheng and his real life brother Chang Chan-Peng go in search of a treasure protected by monk Gordon Liu Chia-Hui and coveted by evil Wang Lung-Wei. An Hilarious comedy with lots of super action scenes. Directed by Liu Chia-Yung.
BloodsportBloodsport
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $3.53
Probably Van Damme's best starring role, unless you count the mainstream TIME COP. This film gives fans what they most wanted to see in ENTER THE DRAGON--their hero kick the crap out of Bolo Yeung. They never got it in ENTER, had to settle for John Saxon, but Van Damme does a job of it here when his buddy is hospitalized in the underground, no-holds barred kumite they're both competing in.
Super PowerSuper Power
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.82
Dueling kung fu masters, with Billy Chong and his cinematic father representing Nature Fist. An average movie, but as many others have said--Billy Chong NEVER disappoints!
Five Shaolin MastersFive Shaolin Masters
Buy used from: $6.50
A movie that only peripheraly features Gordon Liu. The real stars are Chi Kuan-Chun, Fu Sheng, Ti Lung, David Chiang, and Meng Fei in Chang Cheh's film of the fall of the Shaolin Temple. This one begins after the escape of the 5 who then disperse to spread their skills and lead the fight against the Manchu. Unfortunately, the Manchu are not far behind.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee StoryDragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Buy used from: $4.24
I debated about whether or not this was a martial arts film for awhile before giving it and adding it to the list. Jason Scott Lee is very impressive especially when you consider he was not a martial artist prior to landing this film role!
The Leg FightersThe Leg Fighters
Buy used from: $9.72
I'm including this since I can't list WOMAN AVENGER. Hsia Kuang-Li (aka Ho Kuang-Li) co-stars with Tan Tao-Liang (aka Dorian Tan) in this flick about a spoiled brat who finds out she isn't as good a fighter as she thought she was and decides to remedy the situation. Lives up to its retitle with lots of leg action! Aka INVINCIBLE KUNG FU LEGS.
Secret Rivals 2 - Revenge of the Gold FoxSecret Rivals 2 - Revenge of the Gold Fox
Buy used from: $4.83
John Liu (the man who defeated Chuck Norris on French television!) and Huang Cheng-Li going all out again! Their careers practially defined each other! The choreography here is even better than in the first film.
Secret Master (Dub) [VHS]Secret Master (Dub) [VHS]
Buy used from: $4.85
Liang Chia-Jen was one tough fighter. He played good guys and villains, but it was probably as the the bad guy that he really found his niche. I had a difficult time deciding whether to go with this one or THUNDERING MANTIS.