The Four - a mixture of something...

Significant portions of my days now are being taken by sleeping, eating and watching movies, however due to the fact that I'm a father of a 4 years old daughter, these movies are far from the martial arts universe (well, except Ninja in the Dragon's den, Kung Fu Hustle & Drunken Master), therefore I wasn't much present here to write something really inspiring. But after watching the last movie I thought to break my stiffness and deliver another review in style. Now I'm boasting myself, but that's only temporary event. So how come the title suggest one thing and in reality is happened to be another? Answers follow up - please feel free to read.

B-movie? Nah, it's more like F+ to me...

In history of martial arts movies many titles were close to the definition "bad", but only few made it into Hall of Fame, being the cream of the top in worse to awuful filmmaking. Unfortunately such underwater mines can't be detected by simply watching the trailer, so you just have to sit and "enjoy" the full length of medieval acting, combined with lousy production values, ugly actors, plot as simple as drawing a line and last but not least - unique blend of idiotic martial arts choreography only surpassed by the idiotic dialog.
This is something tough to achieve, even in the martial arts department, however the movie reviewed here managed to complete all of the above 100%. A rare gem indeed.

A dream came true - my trip to China

To all my foreign readers - regretfully I must put this next article in Bulgarian language only, as my vocabulary is not capable of expressing my emotions on such large scale, maybe in future I'll manage to contemplate an English version of it. Part of this exists here under the title "Once upon a time in Foshan". Accept my sincere apologies.

Bulgarian version

 Първо бих искал да спомена, че мечтата ми да отида в Китай се зароди някъде около 15-та ми годишнина (когато пък прохождах в света на филмите с бойни изкуства) и когато 2007 ми предложиха да работя там едва не ударих главата си в тавана на офиса от радост, изумление и прочие колоритни емоции, съпътстващи такова предложение.

На китайска сватба - исках да кумувам, но вместо това хванах жартиера.

Retro Fu: The Golden Age...

A long time ago when the martial arts industry in HK was flourishing (according to my humble opinion) many fine movies were produced and executed with such refinement, that not many films are reaching it nowadays. Being old enough myself, I prefer to watch over and over again any of the fine examples from the period between late 70's to early 90's where characters were one dimensional, driven with the help of vengeance, following their purpose until the end - no matter happy or bitter.

 So, forgive my obsession with old school flicks and prepare for a glorification of the obvious talent and martial arts perfection, which was at the time I watch it - enlightening. Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao & Lam Ching Ying teaming up to create one of the most solid performances captured on celuloid ever... I told you about the bloody favouritism and glorification, didn't I? Please read along.

O.M.G. - impressions over The Raid...

My stomach is still turning and vibrating from the enourmous amount of raw power and sheer ingeniuty spread over 100 minutes in what appears to be one of the best martial arts movie in the last 10 years - a collaboration between realtively uknown players on the block, it delivers kicks and punches which was sending me through martial arts bliss, and this is not happening everyday. 

After rather interesting excercise in Merantau Iko/Gareth are teaming up to create brutal and adrenaline pumping feature named simple The Raid (The Raid: Redemption for the American market), and many of you may already seen trailers and part of movie in previous article, published not so long ago.