Shaolin Warriors, Disc 1

Chinese (subtitles)  

2009

First 7 episodes

3 Stars

Almost 4 stars until I realized how new it is. The subtitles are okay, but the irritating thing to me was when they showed a close-up of writing, with no translation/subtitle. I knew it was important, why else make such an issue of it, with such ominous music, but didn't have a clue what it said. This is a 5 disc/34 episode TV drama, actually filmed at the Shaolin Temple. Lots of great martial arts fights and stars one of my favorites—Sammo Hung. He's the chubby one, and is a martial artist. The story takes place during the Ming Dynasty and the monks are helping to keep the pirates, and an invasion, at bay. If you like martial arts, this will not disappoint. Only the subtitles, or lack thereof, earned it a 3 star.

Book and Sword

Chinese, English subtitles

115 minutes

3 stars

One of these days, I'll learn to read the other reviews before ordering something; however, I didn't. The book is by Louis Cha and I've enjoyed the movies (not TV series) I've seen from his other books, alas, this one not so much. Lots of great martial arts with fly by wire, but not so much plot. And what plot was there, wasn't very good. The history wasn't great, either, and if I, a Westerner with very little Chinese history can see some of the flaws, well, that should tell you something. Several reviewers state it was originally a TV series, chopped down to movie length. That's what it looked like, which is too bad, because had it been redone as a movie, it might have had a few more redeeming qualities. Costuming gets 5 stars, story gets 1.

Trailer: None

Kung-Fu Master

Kung-Fu Master

Chinese, English subtitles

2010, 95 minutes

4 stars

Rated R

First off, Rainy Day has NO idea why the R rating, unless it's for violence but kids get more of that in their daily dose of gaming or television. If you are looking for history, or intellectually stimulating dialog, this ain't it, Babe, this ain't it. If, however, you're looking for some fun kung-fu, then pop the disc in and enjoy. I'm sure there was a story line to it that Rainy Day knew (or thought she knew) at one time, but basically it's just one long fight with many antagonists to our one protagonist. Watch it with your kidlets, or grandkidlets, or even the neighbor kidlets, and enjoy the gaffes. 

For the trailer, click here   

For a short piece on the real Shaolin Kung-Fu, with some interesting comments, go here

Book and Sword

Book and Sword

Cantonese, English Subtitles

2002, 2 discs

4 Stars

This watched more like a TV soap opera than a movie. A lot (and Rainy Day means A LOT) of action and sword fighting, but not a great deal to offer in the way of story. From a book by Louis Cha/Jin Yong, it is a story of the Han trying to throw off the Manchu. It is not for everyone, and if you are expecting Hero, Crouching Tiger, etc, Rainy Day is afraid you will not enjoy it. However, Rainy Day did enjoy it. The fight scenes were great (lots of fly-by-wire stuff). Rainy Day isn't sure if it was the editing, or the low budget, or both, but it seemed choppy. Some conjecture the original ran for several episodes, and the two discs here for slightly less than 3 hours. Fights scenes: 5 stars, story: 3 stars.

Click here for Shaolin fight scene. (no subtitles, but, do you need them for a fight?)

Flying Fox of Snow Mountain (Fox Volant of...)

Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain

Disc 1 of 8 discs (series)

Mandarin, English subtitles

5 stars

After the previous series try, with so much "Gu Gu" and "Gor," Rainy Day admittedly hesitated to start another series. However, Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain found her on the edge of the sofa more often than not. The costuming isn't all that rich (it's called Snowy Mountain for a reason) but is interesting, the photography great, and the sword fights are plentiful and wonderful (and all do not end in death or dismemberment!) This TV series was adapted from the popular novel of Louis Cha. The subtitles are a little odd, but passable. Actually, they add to the humor with quotes like, "a teeth for a teeth." Each disc has 5 episodes, and Rainy Day eagerly awaits Discs 2 & 3. If you like Asian movies/TV, this is a feast.

Rainy Day finally had to look up the word, 'volant' just to be sure she had it right. It means: 1. having the wings extended as if in flight – used as a heraldic bird, 2. flying or capable of flying, 3. quick, nimble. Which should give you, gentle readers, a fair guess as to the kinds of kung fu you will see in the movie!

Condor Hero, Disc 1

 

Condor Hero

Chinese, English subtitles ;-)

Disc 1 of 9 discs

4 stars

Condor Hero is a tv series based on the Wuxia novel, The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). Disc 1 is the subject of this review. If you view it as a comedy with absolutely gorgeous costuming and terrific sword fighting, I think you will enjoy it. The dialog leaves a little to be desired for a truly serious story. (How many times can the Hero say the Heroine's name?) One has the option of viewing the 5 episodes on the first disc all at once, or one at a time. The subtitles are in passable English, with many humorous grammatical mistakes – "this is a load of crab!" – being one of several I can remember. Truthfully, I look forward to Disc 2. I wish there were more series like this on American TV!

Have you seen this series? Part of it? All of it? What did you think about it? Please leave your comments on this program.