A Funny Lone Wolf and Cub type Chinese Movie

New Legend of Shaolin

Cantonese, English Subtitles

1994, 94 minutes

4 Stars

Another great Jet Li kung-fu romp! If you like lots of action, not-deliberately-funny subtitles, and a rather thin story, this is the perfect movie. Pure escape. Rainy Day doesn't know why the subtitles for Chinese movies tend to be much more fun than for Japanese movies, but they are. This movie appears to be very loosely based on Chinese history when the Ching Dynasty was destroying the various Temples of Shaolin.  Some of the most enjoyable acting was from the six young boys who were quite accomplished martial artists on their own. Be sure to watch it with subtitles, much better than the dubbed version. A lot like Lone Wolf and Cub, only funny.

For a trailer, with the boys practicing their kung fu, click here.

Samurai Banners, starring Mifune Toshiro

Samurai Banners

Japanese, English subtitles

1969, 166 minutes

4 Stars

The Netflix blurb describing this movie is totally messed. And, in a way, she found the title also misleading. Rainy Day expected lots of classic sword fights, and instead had chaotic wars, with the Samurai Banners being on the fighters. According to one reviewer on Netflix, it is a prequel to the Kurosawa movie, Kagemusha, which Rainy Day saw and enjoyed. Mifune Toshiro is the lead in this movie and, as usual, his performance is excellent. If you like epic stories, fictionalized history, and the strategies leading up to and fighting of wars, this is definitely a movie you will enjoy. Just don't expect the romance and fatal sword fight between the two men who love the same woman.

For a clip of Samurai Banners, click here. This clip shows the entertainment leading up to the assassination of Lord Suwa. Gives you a chance to practice your French;-)

You've got to be carefully taught

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade

Japanese, English subtitles

2006, 100 minutes

5 Stars

For those of you who love martial arts movies with a hint of sci-fi/fantasy, and special effects, this is a feast for the eyes! A story of 400 years of inter-clan war, forbidden love, and manipulation by the Shogun to eliminate the two warring tribes by forcing the best fighters to leave and duel to the death. Rainy Day is not a huge fan of 3D; however, because of this movie, she may have to rethink her thoughts when it comes out in 3D next year. It calls to mind the old song from South Pacific that you have to be carefully taught - to hate. And for 400 years the two ninja clans, Iga and Koga have been carefully taught to hate. Can love trump 400 years of carefully taught hate?

For those of you too young to remember South Pacific, click here for the song. 

For a trailer of the movie, click here.

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