Wu-Tang Clan, who just played The Roots Picnic, have kung fu films in their blood, particularly those of famed producers The Shaw Brothers. So it will be a special treat to see Shaw Brothers classic The 36th Chamber of Shaolin — a film intrinsic to...
For my latest obsessive cinema binge, I decided to spend a good portion of September (aka #Shawtember) revisiting and acquiring new Shaw Brothers movies that feature Derek Yee in them. While Derek Yee came on rather late into the Shaw Brothers fold in the mid...
A lone hero in a corrupt world…this is the type of man Taiwanese actor, martial acrobat and action director, Kuo Chue (Kwok Chung-Fung) would play in Chang Cheh’s dangerously playful Venom Mob films. So on his birthday, I’d like to salute the most agile and...
Age of the siblings: Late 20s Martial / Weapons Skills: Big brother Jin Tailin can evade the Blood Knife style of kung fu with his high kicks and quick reflexes. His legwork can match and slay armed opponents, and few can avoid his relentless footwork. via GIPHY Little sister...
“You've been hurt by my needles. You trying to get yourself killed?” Age: Late 20s Martial / Weapons Skills: Highly intelligent, he is a keen observer. Gao infiltrates in the most insidious way, stoking the good graces of Shaolin warriors with attention and gifts before eradicating them. Traditional...
“Qui's Iron Palm is really ruthless.” Martial / Weapons Skills: Qiu Qian Ren is the Master of the hot technique known as the Iron Palms. To prepare for unleashing this devastating energy, Lord Qiu absorbs the heat from hot iron fragments, then concentrates this potent power...
“What are the profound details?” Age: Probably in his 30s. Martial / Weapons Skills: Great Intellect. Zhu is a devoted pupil who dutifully studies the classics, particularly the Analects of Confucius. He will not acknowledge visitors unless they address the classic he is reading. Quick to compose...
Taiwanese Director Sun Chung made some of the most original and vibrant movies for Shaw Brothers. From comedies to topical dramas, Women’s Lib styled revenge flicks, exploitation, and popular wuxia (martial arts swordplay films), his unique visual stamp and favored moral theme combined to make...
Director: Chang Cheh Starring: Alexander Fu Sheng, Niu-niu, Lo Meng, Philip Kwok, Ching Li, and Ti Lung. [caption id="attachment_16614" align="alignright" width="209"] The Legend of Condor Heroes, first in a trilogy by Jin Yong.[/caption] In Brave Archer 3, context is incredibly important. A common criticism of movies like...
“Taoist magic is the foundation of this formation. Of course I learned that in my childhood.” Both are in their late teens. Martial / Weapons Skills: Kuo Tsing studied the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms as passed down to him by Hung, the Nine Fingered Master of the...