The COVID-19 Martial Arts Movie Marathon!

[bushido_man96]

So, I think we can all agree this Covid-19 thing sucks, and is seriously messing with our favorite hobby/pastime/way of life.

But, if we can't go to the Martial Arts, we can bring to our home, with the likes of Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Prime Video, and all the other streaming possibilities.

So, with that in mind, let's do this! Pick your favorite blast from the past, or something newer, give it a watch, and post about it here, and what it means to you, what you like about it, what you dislike, etc.

I recently rewatched The Last Samurai on Netflix. I'm not a bit Tom Cruise fan, but that movie is just beautiful. I do like the Algren character and his troubled story line, and how at the end, he seems to find some peace.

[Radagast]

It's only loosely a martial arts movie, but Under Siege is my all-time favourite.

Kill Bill, Hero and The Matrix are my favourites.

Ip Man I haven't seen yet, it's at the top of my list.

And probably the best one, albeit animated, is the Kung Fu Panda trilogy.

[DWx]

Soooo much time on my hands right now.

Recently rewatched Best of the Best. All time favourite TKD movie. And Kung Fu Hustle which is just genius with all the references.

[sensei8]

Great topic, Brian!!

Now, just recently, last Saturday, I viewed, not watched, Good Guys Wear Black, starring Chuck Norris, made back in 1978. I say viewed, and not watched, because I was in-the-room while my son was watching it in the living room. Just as soon as he started watching it, I groaned audibly disdainfully at his choice, but kept my big fat mouth shut so he could enjoy it. My eyes would dart to the movie from time to time, especially at action scenes.

The plot is the good VS evil; however, it does have a underlying theme that speaks toward, and for, the MA itself by noting that the MA isn't, and shouldn't be, a vehicle of violence, especially of the layperson. That the MA, is a vehicle of peace, and not war, but a means of defending oneself whenever there's no other choice but to defend oneself with whatever MA skills one possess.

Well, anyone who's been here for any length of time know I've an severe detestation of any and all MA movies; it's just not my cup of tea; I'm cursed to the Nth degree. I just can't bring myself to sit down and enjoy a MA movie, like everyone else on planet earth can.

Why??

Each and every time that I try to watch, AND enjoy, a MA movie, I start treating it as though I'm conducting a Testing Cycle; picking it apart. I even do that to Enter The Dragon; I just can't help myself because that's just how much the teaching of the MA is ingrained in me.

Yeah, I need therapy of some type to overcome the chains and shackles of it all.

Edited May 19, 2020 by sensei8

[bushido_man96]

Great stuff so far, everyone! Best of the Best is really a favorite of mine, as well. I need to find it somewhere. I haven't seen Good Guys Wear Black of ages! May be worth a look-up. Also, The Hero and The Terror might be worth a re-watch.

[Fat Cobra]

Here are some that are great (and some that are OK, but are classics):

-Enter the Dragon

-Ip Man

-13 Assassins

-Black Belt Jones

-Kung Fu Panda Series

-Forbidden Kingdom

-Karate Kid series

-No Retreat, No Surrender

-Bloodsport

-Kickboxer

-Kickboxer (the new series)

-Above the Law

-Out for Justice

-The Last Dragon

and for TV/Cable/Netflix series:

-Daredevil

-Punisher

-Iron Fist

-Defenders

-Cobra Kai

-Warrior

-Wu Assassin

-Into the Badlands

[bushido_man96]

I've not watched the Ip Man series. Is it worthwhile?

[sensei8]

I've not watched the Ip Man series. Is it worthwhile?

As much as I try to watch a MA movie like a fan, but I fail time and time again, the Ip Man series was, well, entertaining. They were each quite free with a lot of liberties with imagination. Not all are dubbed where you don't have to read along; I watched them all on Netflix.

[bushido_man96]

I've not watched the Ip Man series. Is it worthwhile?

As much as I try to watch a MA movie like a fan, but I fail time and time again, the Ip Man series was, well, entertaining. They were each quite free with a lot of liberties with imagination. Not all are dubbed where you don't have to read along; I watched them all on Netflix.

That's what my plan was. Maybe when the weekend rolls around, I'll view one and see.

[sensei8]

I've not watched the Ip Man series. Is it worthwhile?

As much as I try to watch a MA movie like a fan, but I fail time and time again, the Ip Man series was, well, entertaining. They were each quite free with a lot of liberties with imagination. Not all are dubbed where you don't have to read along; I watched them all on Netflix.

That's what my plan was. Maybe when the weekend rolls around, I'll view one and see.

If I remember right, the first and third Ip Man movies had it where I had to read the closed caption, which I don't do to well because either I get to watch the movie or I get to read the movie. If I got to read the movie, I might as well get a book or transcript.