Fighter in the Wind (2004)

The film is actually Korean,I initially got a doubt if its a Japanese or a Korean movie since the film revolves around Japan ;-)

If you feel bullied by your surrounding people find how to over come your fears through this true story.

Yes this is a true story of a fighting legend and its very inspirational with stunning martial arts choreography.

The film begins with around a young Korean Taekwondo competitor who arrives in Japan near the end of World War II with hopes of being a fighter pilot, but he finds himself on the streets battling racism, organized

crime, occupying American servicemen, and his own fear of failure as a martial artist.

The director pictures the hero's fear on his survival on rival gangs until he was saved by another street fighter.The hero learns few fighting techniques from him, but not for long when his teacher is slained in a bloody rivalry. Agonised and with anger the hero goes to exile in a mountain.He retires to the wilderness for two years to train his body in the art of karate and returns to take on the world.

Fighter in the Wind is a dramatic and stylized portrayal of the life of Kyokushin karate founder Masutatsu Oyama, or as he is known in this movie by his original Korean name, Choi Baedal. The man becomes a legend in '60s almost defeating all major martial arts masters. He even gets in to bull wrestling and gets the power to shatter the bulls head with his bear hands.Whom the New York Times declared in 1961 to be "the toughest man in the world," it falls far short of giving an accurate portrayal of someone whose real-life exploits are more fascinating than any fiction.

Fighter in the Wind is an immensely entertaining martial arts movie that's full of breath-taking action and heart. Its a movie worth watching

the promise movie trailer

The Promise (2005)

My passion for Chinese movies got me "The Promise". The film tries to follow the success of "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" in Hollywood. But i doubt it fails to impress many audience. The Promise promises to attract only hard-core Asian sword-and-sorcery fans.

Director Chen Kaige (Farewell, My Concubine) seems drawn by the small, human tale of a lovely concubine named Qingcheng (Hong Kong's Cecilia Cheung), cursed as a child by a goddess who promises her great wealth, but under the condition that she loose all the men men she loves until she can figure out how to reverse time.

The concubine attracts the attention of a warrior general (Japan's Hiroyuki Sanada) and Kunlun, his wily slave (Jang Dong-kun of Korea) who can outrun a stampede of bulls and perform other far-fetched feats.

The portion which attracted me is the epic battle scene where the Warrior general claims victory over 30,000 odd barbaric people with his 3000 elite troops (the picture in this post is a scene from the battle). During the beginning the slave gets the confidence of the general when he out beats the buffalo stampede. It seems that the slave comes from the land of Snow who can travel faster than light and hence do time travel. The slave himself gets to know his identity when he defeats the assassin from Snow land sent by the evil general who plots behind the King.Unaware of his plot Kunlun disguises himself as the victorious good general and kills an emperor who was going to dispose of Qingcheng, she mistakenly falls in love with the general. That is just the start of a plot full of mystical elements that get in the way of our emotional investment.

Finally how the slave overcomes death and time to gain the hands of Qingcheng is the rest of the story.Still, The Promise is often visually stunning, thanks to Crouching Tiger's cinematographer Peter Pau and maybe for some moviegoers that will be enough.

The films battle scene and gravity defying chases are visually stunning.

Whirlwind in a Tea Cup: Who got the last laugh?

Whirlwind in a Tea Cup: Who got the last laugh?

Zatoichi (Beat Takeshi) - gang

Zatoichi (the blind Swordsmen) - 2003

Zatoichi is a Japanese movie and i watched the entire movie in Japanese ;-), obviously with English subtitles.

Caution to parents,as this movie is highly violent with too many bloody stunts. Please take care of your young ones.

I was pretty impressed by the movie picture quality and the visual effects, stunt co-ordinations. I can bet it not less than our Hollywood stuffs.

History of Zatoichi (Credit goes to reviewer C.Taylor:Zatoichi-Blind-Swordsman-Vol-1 ):By the 1960's Japanese cinema was dominated by film series with 3 or four "episodes" a year. Actor Shintaro Katsu had portrayed a blind masseur in the movie "Shiranui Kengyo" [Agent Shiranui ]. In 1962 Katsu stared as yet another blind masseur in the film "Zatoichi Monogatari" [ The tale of the low ranking blind man Ichi. ] In the movie Ichi had a name that gave him the rank of "Zato" which basically meant the lowest level of the blind men's masseur guild. However, this was just a cover. Ichi was actually a high ranking Yakuza assassin who's master swordsmanship was sought after by all the Yakuza bosses. While Zatoichi was completely blind, he had incredible hearing, a mastery of the Iaijitsu style of fighting, and a deadly blade hidden within his cane. In the film Ichi is imployed to fight in a Yakuza gang war and is forced to kill a swordsman he respects who was hired by the rival gang. At the end of the film Zatoichi throws away his cane-sword and gives up the life of a Yakuza assassin forever. However, the film was so popular that a second movie, "Zuko Zatoichi Monogatari" [ The continuing tale of the low ranking blind man Ichi ] was made. Here Ichi, who has his cane sword back, returns to the grave of the rival swordsman he had killed in the last film to pay his respects and ends up being forced to kill his own brother by the same Yakuza boss that hired him a year before. The film ends with Ichi killing the boss in vengeance. With the success of the second film, Daiei Studio decided to turn it into a full film series staring Katsu. The third film "Shin Zatoichi Monogatari" [ A new tale of the low ranking blind man Ichi ] was the first Zatoichi film in color and was followed by 19 other films. In each Zatoichi has given up his life as an assassin, even as Yakuza bosses are always trying to hire him. But he usually has the misfortune of wandering into a town menaced by an evil Yakuza boss or corrupt government official and always ends up wiping out them and their henchmen. On many occasions he would also run into a swordsman who vowed to be the one who would finally kill the now legendary Zatoichi and the film would end with a quick duel with Ichi the victor. As the series progressed Ichi soon had a price on his head by Yakuza gangs and was wanted by the law.



The recent movie which i watched:
In this movie again Ichi a blind swordsman goes to a small town controlled by a ruthless gang. There he meets many characters like the siblings on a mission to avenge their family assassination, a samurai who is hired by the gang, as well as an unlucky gambler who befriends the blind swordsman. The cinematography was really beautiful and well made. The costumes like most period films were finely crafted and were beautiful with background music soring to heights.
Would you believe the director and the lead role is played by the director of this film Takeshi kitano (as Zatoichi). His Samurai fight movements are amazing ,looks lot aggressive and realistic.In this film Ichi unveils the plot from evil gang leader and helps the siblings avenge their family's assassination.

I hope to see more from this great director in his next film.

On a whole its a movie worth watching if you like high voltage action :-).

Dragon Tiger Gate

I am a great fan of Jet Li and Donnie Yen, So once my cousin just gave a hint about this movie a week end. I couldn't get the DVD initially in my city but luckily i got a copy from my Aikido master. Wow this is another martial arts treat to fans like me. One of my favourite Chinese movie collection

The film has spectacular cinematography matching to Hollywood standards. Coming to the story part ,Welcome to the world of “Dragon Tiger Gate”, the fascinating world whereby highly skilled pugilists be they evil or good fight it out! Adapted from the legendary Tony Wong’s classic, must-read HK manga of all times, “Dragon Tiger Gate” popularity is comparable to Marvel’s X-men or Spider-man in the Chinese comics arena.

Three young men (“Dragon”, “Tiger” and “Turbo”) after going through life turmoil decide to band together to rid the country number one’s evildoer, Shibumi. Assuming the lead roles is Donnie Yen (who also served as action choreographer and producer), Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue. Accordingly, Tse and Yue have to undergo months of martial arts training to fully pull off the believable stunts onscreen. Both young actors put in a fair performance as “Tiger Wong” and “Turbo Shek”.

Apparently, little is known about this man-behind-the-mask’s motives, background, thus Shibumi ended up as a two-dimensional character. Doubtfully we have a question here how come Shibumi kills the master of the gate , if he is so powerful how did Dragon defeat him so cool? except for this question the film still stands for its spectacular action scenes and cinematography.

Directed by Wilson Yip, the man behind last year’s hard-hitting “SPL”, “Dragon Tiger Gate” is part fantasy, part action and adapted from a well-known comic and most of all, a fitting showcase of what the flagging HK film industry is capable of pulling off.

Sha Po Lang (SPL) Trailer

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Seven Swords (Hong Kong 2005) Trailer

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Shinobi Trailer

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Dragon Tiger Gate 龙虎门 (Trailer)

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CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER Trailer 2

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(Heart Under Blade-2005) Shinobi (Japanese)

This is one Japanese movie that i went and watched accidentally since there were no other good Chinese action movies around my week end :-).But trust me its a worth to watch movie(though you should digest some of the supernatural stunt scenes :-))

The film takes you around the feudal Japan in the early Tokugawa era residing over the remote mountains of Japan. Deep in the woods we have two hidden villages, the home to two warring clans of Shinobi, ninjas so highly trained that they have developed supernatural powers. These clans, the Koga and the Iga, have been enemies for centuries,both of them are eager to prove their skills as the might before the Shoguns and eliminate the other clan until the Shogun forcibly imposed a treaty upon them with exception of being if they are employed in the service of other warring clans.

Ironically just as in Romeo and Juliet story we have the hero and heroine coming from the opposite clans who fell in love.

Born into this culture of hostility are Gennosuke, played by the always strong Joe Odagiri, and Oboro, played by the stunning Nakama Yukie. The two meet by chance and fall in love. unfortunately they have to meet each other in the battle between opposite clans do decide who is the next Shogun.

The action scenes are excellent using the CGI techniques. Action fans has to be content with minimum action scenes since we have one 5 ninjas facing against each other. Finally the hero dies in the hands of the heroine willingly and our Juliet in this film too dies putting an end to this hatred. She finally hopes at least the next Shogun would prevent this hatred between the clans and promote peace.

The martial art sequence are extraordinary though we can see some magical fights. The film revolve around the love affair amidst the warring clan.

This movie is another example of extraordinary cinematography from Asia compared to Hollywood. Its worth watching a treat to all action fans.

(Chat Gim) Seven Swords

Note: Watch this movie trailer from the trailer menu ABOVE.

The film is another must watch movie for all martial art fans.A master piece from the creator of "Once upon a time in china" - Tsui Hark Set in the period of Ching dynasty when the martial art practise was outlawed.

But there is one village which still practise it secretly until they are besieged by the emperors army, lead by a tyrant general.

The villagers have only one chance left.... the seven extraordinary swordsmen who comes to the rescue lead by Fu QingZhu (a retired executioner, who returns to the village to repent his sins) and kills the evil general. Later it seems the villagers persuades the empire to follow martial. Lucky we are now other wise we would not have got to know about such a wonderful art.

Donnie Yen and Leon Lai are the star characters in this movie. And the action scene are extremely well done (though the there are violent and blood spill in most scenes). It is worth watching.

Note: Recommend not to allow your kids to watch this movie due to violent action.

Note: The pictures are origially obtained from Honhkong film log

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(Sha Po Lang) Dragon Dynasty -Kill Zone

Note: Watch this movie trailer from the trailer menu ABOVE.

Are you a Donnie Yen Fan? or at least a fan of action movies? then this movie should be a part of your DVD collection.Originally called as "Sha Po Lang" in Chinese and i guess its also dubbed as "Dragon Dynasty - Kill Zone"

This is more a violent movie i have ever seen. The movie deals with the story of 5 cops who are trying all possible ways to get "Wang pu" which is Samo hung (he plays a baddy in this movie) behind bars.

The turning point lays when the cops try a crooked method to get the evidence made artificially and put Samo hung. All 4 cops are killed by an excellent assassin (Jing Wu - the hero in Drunken Monkey).

Finally our Donnie yen comes to the rescue and save the inspector at the last moment.

The film is violent in action but is packed with sentiments from the inspector side for his adopted cute daughter and the sentiments from Samo hung for his new born baby.

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People are still sceptic aboout the report on Diana's Death

At last after nearly a decade passed over the nights tragic accident of princess Diana we have the report out from UK.
Finally they have confirmed that the incident is an accident and not actually a murder attempt. It is also confirmed that the princess was not pregnant during the accident. The Princess was not actually planning to get engaged it seems, though there are lot of sceptics who think the other way.
We never know which one is correct but at least let us hope that both spirits rest in peace.

Note: The princess picture is originally located in "Princess Diana Site"

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Hot Couple around Hollywood

Wanna know who comes next in line with the hottest couple in Hollywood this year? Its the star pair from the movie "Sahara" Mathew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz.

It seems Mathew McConaughey says his relationship with Penelope Cruz dates back to her split with Tom Cruise. Never the less the duo have claimed their position in line with the other super star pain " Brad Pit and Jolie" with the war of the worlds fame "Tom Cruise and Ketie Homes" topping the list.

Its quite interesting to see the pairs interchange in Hollywood just as in their movies. Not sure if this couple would withstand for the coming years.We need to wait and watch next year and hope they have a better and lovely married life :-).

Note: The picture is originally available in "Sahara movie Pictures"

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The Curse of Golden the Flower

Note: Watch this movie trailer from the trailer menu ABOVE.

Another epic drama from the east. A tribute to the Hollywood movie saga. I wonder the east is far advanced in story telling and the usage of technology. The "Curse of Golden the Flower" is a period high drama. It includes a balanced combination of power between the King and the Queen and his three sons, which entails betrayal, deceit and passion, leading the King against Queen and father against sons.

The movie is also called as "The City of Golden Armor", i guess mostly due to the grand armour wore by the soldiers who guard the city. The limelight of the movie being our well known "Chow yun Fat" (the famous anti hero from "Replacement Killers"). The movies is worth watching as includes sentiment and action taking us to the golden age of China. Produced by Elite Group Enterprises, Edko Films, Beijing New Picture Film Co, Film Partner International and distributed by Sony pictures the film is soon gonna hit your nearest theater.

Note: The picture in this blog is originally from Curse of Golden Flower Gallery

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