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16
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12

First review
April 28, 2010
Last review
August 11, 2014
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3.8

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619TF's Reviews

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The Angela Mao Ying Collection [3 Discs] [DVD] [1974]

This hard hitting release for fans of martial arts star Angela Mao Ying offers an extensive, six-film collection from the actress's career, including When Taekwondo Strikes, The Tournament, Stoner, The Himalayan, A Queen's Ransom, and Broken Oath.

Customer Rating

Great buy for Martial Arts fans

on August 11, 2014

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

This is a terrific way to be introduced to one of Asia's greatest martial arts movie heroines. Sometimes called Lady Kung Fu, Lady Whirlwind, or just AMY, Angela Mao Ying is simply great in these and many other movies. Her very expressive eyes aid her fine acting ability. And her fast, crisp martial arts moves are impressive to say the least. The movies here are very nicely restored by the production company. Broken Oath and The Tournament are two of the star's best and lesser seen films. A Queen's Ransom is the only one that feels like it doesn't belong; too bad they couldn't have gone with Dance of Death or one of several others. Still, a fine bargain and a nice showcase for this amazing woman.

What's great about it: Angela Mao Ying, of course

What's not so great: A Queen's Ransom

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Haunter [2013]

Customer Rating

More than one kind of ghost

on February 22, 2014

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

"Haunter" borrows a lot of ideas from other movies, but adds enough touches of its own (all the way down to the shirt worn by the heroine) to come across as a good time. As much a mystery as a ghost story, the movie is recommended to those who like a fairly creepy movie but one which won't scare you too badly. It has a bit of an old-fashioned feel to it, which I liked, and its strong young heroine should please those who like movies with "girl power." Not great, but I certainly enjoyed it.

What's great about it: Strong young heroine

What's not so great: Maybe a bit too much idea borrowing

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Ninja II [DVD] [2013]

Customer Rating

Sequel betters the original

on February 5, 2014

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

The first "Ninja" was just an okay actioner, and I was surprised they made a sequel. But this one improves on the original in almost every way. That's especially true of the fights, thanks to director Florentine, star Adkins and choreographer Tim Man, who doubles as a secondary villain. Kane Kosugi is also impressive. Adkins in the original was just mostly a bland nice guy. This time he has a darker edge which suits him better. There's also a smart plot device which lets him enter another country and have access to Ninja weapons. Ninja II is good enough to possibly warrant a third film in the series..

What's great about it: The fights and some plot twists

What's not so great: The heroine's fate

I would recommend this to a friend!

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8 Diagram Pole Fighter [DVD] [1984]

Customer Rating

Carries a big stick

on June 5, 2013

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

Usually no matter how serious the movie, director and martial arts co-ordinator Liu Chia Liang #Lar kar Leung# would insert some moments of comedy. This film is the exception. Co-star Alexander Fu Sheng died in an off-set accident, and that tragedy seems to suffuse the entire movie with darkness. The pain, anger, and grief on the beautiful face of Kara Hui Ying Hung in one of the last scenes encapsulates the mood throughout the story. It's a great costume Kung Fu drama as a loyal family is targeted by traitors and Mongol invaders. A must-have for anyone's martial arts collection; just don't expect a lot of laughs.

What's great about it: Fighting, performances, camera work

What's not so great: Could have done with a bit less "flying"

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Spiders [Includes Digital Copy] [DVD] [2011]

Customer Rating

One leg up, seven legs back

on April 2, 2013

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

You could write a long essay on all the dumb story problems with "Spiders." A VERY long essay. Start with a spider surviving a crash to earth on an old space satellite. And include the fact that the usual sinister forces want the big spiders because of their super-strong silk, but people in the film are constantly tearing it with their bare hands. But hey - it's a movie about big spiders! We expect a lot of hooey, as long as it's exciting. And for a while, it looks like it will deliver. Then the climax comes to a halt while a couple search for their tween-age daughter. Finally after what seems like an hour the hero does what a contingent of the armed forces couldn't do and puts the movie out of your misery. But it's way too late.

What's great about it: Special effects are okay

What's not so great: Pretty dumb story; climax drags like a wounded bug

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Dreamscape [Special Edition] [DVD] [1984]

Joseph Ruben's sci-fi thriller gets the deluxe treatment with this release from Image. The anamorphic widescreen transfer faithfully reproduces the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo, and DTS 5.1. There are neither subtitles nor closed-captions. Supplemental materials include an audio commentary by the producer, writer, and special effects artist, a behind-the-scenes section on the special effects, a test reel for the makeup, and a still-photo gallery. Fans of this cult favorite will greatly enjoy this release, and the extra features might just win some new converts.

Customer Rating

Generally a nice dream

on October 27, 2012

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

Dreamscape is pretty much a forgotten movie, which is too bad. It had a huge influence on bigger movies like "The Matrix" and "Inception." Basically, the government is experimenting with psychics going into people's dreams to help them work out their nightmares. Naturally, evil forces soon see potential, because the President is having nightmares. And if you die in your dreams, you die for real. The acting is generally good, although there's one person so identified with a tv character that his appearance is jarring. I liked that Dennis Quaid's hero isn't pure gold; he can be a bit of a jerk at times. The special FX were okay for the time, but look rather cheesy today. Generally a good time, and it would certainly be on my list of movies which would be good choices for a remake. Lots better than doing Texas Chainsaw for the tenth time or yet another zombie show, for sure.

What's great about it: The basic idea; most of the acting

What's not so great: Outdated special effects

I would recommend this to a friend!

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The Man from Nowhere [DVD] [2010]

Customer Rating

A very good movie with a very big problem

on October 13, 2012

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

This Korean movie mines from the same vein as films like "Taken," "Man on Fire" and others. Here a man who has withdrawn from his violent world and life in general comes back to save a little girl. The hero gives a good performance although he seems a little young to have given up on life. The villains are completely despicable. And the little girl, who is treated cruelly by nearly everyone in her world but still soldiers on with a good heart, is brought to life by a truly remarkable little actress. Unfortunately, there seem to have been major flaws in the dvd production. I bought five discs. None of them played without some freezing or stopping incident. I finally kept one which played everything but one chapter. That shows how much I liked the movie and how widespread the problem with the dvd is. (Can't speak to the Blu-Ray.) So this is very much a buyer be warned recommendation.

What's great about it: Performances and directing

What's not so great: dvd production problems

I would recommend this to a friend!

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The Avenging Eagle/Blood Brothers [2 Discs] [DVD]

Avenging Eagle Sun Chung directs this 1978 kung fu film from the Shaw Brothers. Ku Feng plays the king eagle, a man who raises orphans to be his own personal goons in an outlaw band called the 13 Eagles. Ti Lung plays the rebel orphan who strikes out on his own, leading the rest of the group to want him dead. Ti Lung joins up with a mysterious warrior (Alexander Fu Sheng) and proceeds to take down the outlaw leader. The Blood Brothers A vicious despot embarks upon a violent reign of terror, with horrific results for the oppressed populace. A number of highly skilled kung fu experts join forces in an effort to overturn the tyrant in this blood-soaked martial arts adventure.

Customer Rating

Great martial arts value

on June 1, 2012

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

This purchase should be a no-brainer for any martial arts fan who doesn't already have the films; it's an incredible value. These are "old school" kung fu films, and the action may look slow to those weaned on Jet Li and Tony Jaa. But after a few minutes it starts to look fine, and all the varied weaponry in both films is amazing. Another plus is that the actors are good and charismatic. Ti Lung (in both), Fu Sheng (in Eagle) and David Chiang in the other are all magnetic. The stories, with looming tragedy and fairly well-developed characters, along with the handsome actors may even keep those who don't care about the fighting mildly interested. Special props to Sun Chung, the director of "Eagle," whose directorial style is another positive to that film. At this price, you just can't go wrong with this purchase.

What's great about it: The actors, stories, and weaponry

What's not so great: dvd extras

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Bounty Hunters [DVD] [2011]

Customer Rating

Very little reward

on May 13, 2012

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

With an uninspired story, mostly forgettable performers, and a short (but slow) running time, "Bounty Hunters" isn't much of a movie. It has two positives. One is former Pro Rasslin' star Trish Stratus, still very attractive and very fit. Unfortunately her character pretty much disappears for a long stretch, and that's when the movie really drags. The other is the fight choreography. Some of Stratus' flashy moves are pretty impractical, but they are what her fans would want. Her female sparring partner also acquits herself nicely. In any case the fights were much better than I expected. They can't save this mess, however. Parents: with lots of violence, brief (non-Stratus) female toplessness and frequent varieties of "F-Bombs", this is NOT for kids. Extras include Stratus talking about her role, rehearsals for part of one of the fights, and some flubbed scene outtakes. One foreign object out of five.

What's great about it: Trish Stratus and the fights

What's not so great: The story and most of the cast

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

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Jungle Girl [2 Discs] [1941]

A thrilling 1941 serial from Republic Pictures, Jungle Girl arrives on DVD courtesy of VCI Home Video. Presented in 1.33:1 full frame, English Dolby Digital Mono audio is also offered.

Customer Rating

A distaff Tarzan swings pretty well

on March 17, 2012

Posted by: 619TF

from WI

Adventure tv for kids before there was tv, serials lured their young audience back to theatres every Saturday afternoon by ending chapters with a hero(ine) in danger of an unpleasant demise - thus earning the name "cliffhangers" because the good girl/guy was apt to be doing just that. Full of constant chases, fights, and secret hide-outs, they were a kid's idea of how grown-up life should be. "Jungle Girl" isn't one of the best serials imho, but it's above average and a good example of the genre. As the heroine, beautiful Frances Gifford can certainly take care of herself, but she also gets captured or emperiled enough so that the good guys feel useful. And she manages to dive into lakes and rivers and emerge soaking wet in her jungle minidress to keep older guys interested as well. Tragically just as her career was gathering steam it was cut short by a severe auto accident. This is one of her few major roles.

What's great about it: Frances Gifford and some of the stunts

What's not so great: 1940's racial stereotypes and repetitive nature

I would recommend this to a friend!

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