I wanted to say Hi to everyone here. I just signed up today.
I was wondering what everyones favorite Martial Arts movie is.
Hi Jaz! :wavey: Welcome to MT
Let's see.... early movie influences..... Lash LaRue, Roy Rogers, Randolph Scott, The Durango Kid.....:lol:
Actually, I began my Martial Art training at an early age so there wasn't much in the way of Martial Art influences except for Green Hornet with Bruce Lee as Kato.
http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tv/green-hornet.htm
In my pre-teen years, I did enjoy watching the regular Kung-Fu series with David Carradine (I like the philosophy plus I favor westerns)
I never paid much attention to Bruce Lee movies as a kid. I was 11 in 71 when Fists of Fury was released. By the time Chuck Norris released Breaker Breaker in 77, I had 12 years of Martial Art study, and was working toward my Black Belt. When Good Guys Wear Black came out the following year, I was a 1st Dan Taekwondo Instructor. I tended to be more critical of the technical content in Martial Art movies than my peers.
You couldn't grow up in the 70s without hearing everyone talk about Billy Jack, and the song "Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting" played on the radio all the time. I do like some of the Seagal movies, and Jackie Chan is entertaining and talented. I have never been impressed with Van Damme's techniques, acting, or attitude. He is mostly "eye-candy" for the ladies with his muscles and accent, but not much of a quality Martial Artist (in my opinion).
I remember that I was not very impressed with "Best of the Best" when it came out (I have recently purchased the DVD and watched it again - it's ok). I never liked the concept that these guys were supposed to be among the best, yet they couldn't jump rope when they were selected to become the "best of the best." I do like the fact that Korea, and Taekwondo was involved but not in the best light.
Some movies have better acting, and some tell a better story although a lot of them use stunt doubles, spring boards, wire work, CGI, editing of fight scenes and other camera tricks that tend to make everyone look better than they really are (not to mention that the fight scenes are well rehearsed. I like movies like Ghost Warrior, Road House, The Body Guard, The Last Samurai .... oh yes, and let's not forget Remo Williams - - but mostly these are for entertainment.
CM D.J. Eisenhart
