Mondo China

Bruce Lee’s Legend

Chinese State Television is currently filming a 50 part epic TV series following the life of Bruce Lee. It is being filmed on location in six countries - should be a show to watch for fans of the master!

Starring and directed by action movie legend Sammo Hung, it was Encounters of the Spooky Kind that almost single handedly reinvented the action-horror genre in Hong Kong cinema. Watching the Hong Kong Legends excellent remastered DVD edition it’s hard to believe, in fact, that the film is now over twenty-five years old…in fact it pre-dates the hopping vampires of that other cult classic Mr Vampire by several years. The HKL copy includes an extensive English language interview with Sammo Hung, a restoration featurette, excellent audio commentary by Bey Logan and is presented in the original Cantonese with remastered English subtitles.

The success of the film as a whole is undoubtedly down to the fact that it delivers on several levels. For horror fans there are some genuinely creepy moments with numerous revived zombies and vampires; Hung’s comic timing is spot on as usual – the scene in which a zombie mimics his every move is almost Chaplin-esque; and the martial arts scenes, of course, are stunning. Sammo Hung may not look like an obvious choice as a kung fu maestro yet in spite of his large size his display of martial arts skills in the very long closing battle scene in which he is possessed by a series of Chinese deities is amazing - his possession by the monkey god in particular stands out as a demonstration of Hung’s sheer acting and physical ability.

Fans of the Mr Vampire series will also spot Lam Ching Ling in the role of a local law man on Sammo Hung’s trail.

A must for fans of Hong Kong action movies and its supernatural or, rather, spooky sub-genre!

A Martial Artist’s View of Jet Li’s Latest & Last Martial Arts Film: Fearless
By Dr. Gary S. Goodman

There must have been only a dozen people attending the Florida showing of Jet Li’s latest and reportedly last martial arts film, Fearless.

But numbers lie, because you can’t judge how “boffo” this film is from its box office numbers.

This is a gem, I’m sure you’ll agree, when you see it.

In this movie, Li’s character is descended from a father who could have been the martial arts champ of his province, if he hadn’t shown mercy and followed through with a punch he had already expertly launched at his adversary’s heart.

Li swore that he would redeem the family honor and win the title that eluded Papa.

As he journeys toward greatness, Li learns many things about love, life, revenge, and honor, and we see him mature as a martial artist and as a hero.

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This movie is masterful at examining the role of restraint in a warrior’s life; a theme I have written quite a lot about, lately. Let me say, by the time the end of the movie is achieved, a great harmony between a battler’s motivations is consummated, almost improbably, but witnessing this outcome is very moving.

I suppose I knew that this was Li’s last contribution to martial arts films, and touched by this cinematic farewell as well as by the tightly woven story, I found myself immobilized as the credits ran.

Though you’ll see some good action and intense swordplay and wire-assisted leaps, this offering is more about internal strength than anything else.

You might see it and conclude as I did, that Li is the real deal, and most important, he leaves his fans and sometimes overly enthusiastic brawlers with more to ponder than their speed or athleticism.

He shows that the martial arts are a noble and humane endeavor, and their true aim is the perfection of character.

Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 900 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered “The Gold Standard”–the foremost expert in sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Yoshi Kundagawa

The first time I saw Shaolin Kung fu techniques was while watching a martial arts movie. I loved the style of martial arts so much, that I watched the second movie and fell totally in love. There was something so riveting about watching the punches, kicks and jumps. Even though it was Hong Kong Hollywood, it looked so much more real than most martial arts you see. I’ve watched a lot of martial arts movies in my day. In fact, they’re actually my favorite type of movie. Recently I saw Jet Li in Fearless. Though his style in that movie was wing chun.

Why is kung fu my favorite form of martial art? Probably because of the exotic origin. It’s a style practiced by monks. You wouldn’t think monks would know a fighting style, especially when they stand for peace and nonviolence but they do practice it every day, for the entirety of their lives. It’s like their way of finding enlightenment and it’s a viable combat art. Most kung fu you see in movies or during shows, or exhibitions are stylized sport martial arts. But not the shaolin. There are historical references of it being used in defensive battle as far back as 728 B.C. Normally, when you see a martial artist, it’s usually big muscles, lots of noise, a show, right? Not this one. This art trains practitioners with the purpose of nature. I’m sure you’ve heard references to it in the movies, where someone engaged in kung fu took a tiger stance or that of the crane.

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Each one of these has a purpose behind it attached to the meanings of the animals, not to mention that the types of Shaolin have really cool names like ‘Jiao long nu kong’, which means the /coiling dragon growls in wrath’, or ‘Qian jintui’ the ‘leg weighing one thousand jins’. compare that to boxing. Jab. Cross. How dull!

You can’t help but admire the training and dedication, the grace, and fluidity of movement that accompanies this martial art. Out of all of the ones I’ve read, seen or done research on, I keep coming back to this one. Warrior monks even won battles and were honored using these techniques. It boggles my mind when I think of it. Weapon use, boxing, spins, kicks - all of it at lightening fast speeds and almost inhuman precision. I find myself sitting on the edge of my seat waiting eagerly for the next bad guy to come along or the next move in the exhibition.

It’s amazing how they can do all those moves - flying through various forms, blocks, kicks, jumps, punches - and then stop give their bow and not even be breathing hard. They don’t just use any weapon, either. A popular one is the long spear. I’ve held one before. They aren’t light and they’re long. To use one takes a lot of skill, and they make it seem so easy.

It doesn’t matter what form or practice of Shaolin Kung fu techniques are being used, I love it!

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers the
mixed martial arts industry. For a free report on Shaolin Kung Fu visit his blog.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com