Chan (Chan Sao Chung ) runs into trouble with the local military and finds a friend in a martial school sifu Kang (classic HK actor Tien Fung- Oath of Death, Young Master, Fist of Fury), who hides the expatriate and even turns his school over to him while away on business. It is while Kang is gone that Chan is arrested when he defends a student who's luck has run out in the local gambling halls. The crimelord who controls the town, Ming (Shek Kien), hates Kang's school and uses Chan's arrest as a way to hurt Kang by getting Chan charged with life in prison and demanding Kang pay for the damages to his club. Kang goes broke paying off officials to get Chans sentence reduced to eight years and eventually loses his school. Meanwhile, Chan observes monkey outside his cell window and develops a new monkey style of fighting. Chan is released and sets about forming a new school in tribute to Kang, an...Read the entire review

The Story: The Russians are consorting with the traitorous Manchu's, who plan to turn over a map of the strategic points the Russians could use to invade Chinese territories. So, with the hope that he can sniff out their pan and the traitors (and not get killed like their first spy), the government sends out Chow Tien (John Lui) to investigate and spy on the visiting Russian General, 'chuckle' Tolstoy (Roy Horan), and his lackeys. Since Tolstoy is a pistol expert, Tien gets his brother Ko (Yip Fei Yang), who is a dagger expert, and his tag along kid (Wong Yat Lung) to help aide him. Soon the plot reveals a traitorous magistrate and the key figure behind it all (Hwang Jang Lee), but the method by which the Manchu's identify themselves to the Russians, a rare snuff bottle, is stolen by Tien and his cohorts. But, Tein and crew are in the midst of enemies and must fight their way ...Read the entire review

Shaolin Against Lama (1980, aka. Shaolin Temple Against Lama, Shaolin Temple Vs. Lama) is a Taiwanese production that I am willing to bet was made at the same time as Shaolin Chastity Kung Fu because the two productions share too may stars. Most likely, they wrapped production on Chastity Kung Fu and went straight into filming Against Lama. And it should not be confused with 1983's Shaolin Vs. Lama which also starred Alexander Lo Rei. Lo Rei. carved out a fair career on the Taiwanese market doing stuff like this and Incredible Kung Fu Mission- which also starred John Lui, who co-starred with Lo Rei in Northern Kicks and Southern Fists,... and Kung Fu Mission had Robert Tai as its action director, and he was the primary director of Shaolin Chastity Kung Fu,... ahhhh, wonderfully incestuous this world of kung fu films.

Anyway, the s...Read the entire review

The ruthless Silver Eagle (Han Ying) destroys the Shaolin Temple, kills the master, and the temples young bumbling cook, Mo (Elton Chong) swears revenge. He finds a teacher in a brash drunk beggar, who in his past had also been defeated by Silver Eagle. The harsh training to make Mo more balanced includes carrying buckets of water up uneven pole steps and being spun dizzy while inside a circle of spikes. Silver Eagle finds out these old nemesis are preparing to fight him, so he keeps his thugs, including a fire spitter and a big tiger claw guy, patrolling the local villages for them. As Mo completes his training, it will be up to him, his teacher, and a former Shaolin student to defeat Silver Eagles dirty tricks and masterful kung fu.

Director Godfrey Ho is an acquired taste. Sort of the king of the Chinese b-action movies, Godfrey managed for the better part of two decades to spit out multiple f...Read the entire review

When Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980) was a hit and bred interest in the supernatural kung fu comedy, the low budget independent Asian studios were quick to capitalize and foremost among this lot were two films, Kung Fu From Beyond the Grave (1982) and Kung Fu Zombie (1981) featuring Indonesian star Billy Chong. Encounters of a Spooky Kind is to Kung Fu Zombie, what Jaws is to Piranha or Great White. One is the refined originator; the other is the exploitative (but fun) imitator.

Billy plays a kung fu student, taught the martial ways by his hard hearted father. Billy made an enemy in a local wily sideburned thug, who Billy thwarted during a robbery and sent the thug to jail. Now, the thug has returned and enlisted a Taoist priest/wizard to aide him in disposing of Billy. Being a couple of...Read the entire review

The Story: Two martial masters, Pang and Fei, set up rival schools, proposing that their respective styles, Wing Chun or Shaolin 5 Style Fist is superior. The shady Master Tein (Philip Ko Fei) sends two of his students (saying they are his "sons") to train under each man, offering a cash incentive to the master whose style proves most superior. Secretly, Master Tien wants to learn the secrets of the two styles so he can beat the masters and avenge his brother Yang Wei (Lee Hoi Sang) who was defeated and humiliated by them. The two students run across a local roustabout, the self trained Kung Fu Ching (Stephen Tung Wei), who also begins to train with both the masters. Not wanting another person in the kung fu world proficient in both styles, they drive him out of both schools. Luckily, Ching befriends Fei Jai/Fat Pow (Sammo Hung) a martial master who begins to train Ching in hi...Read the entire review

Portions of the plot description will be in brackets [ ]. The reasons why will be made clear.

The Film: The Manchu's have aligned with the Japanese and plot to overthrow the Chinese. Revolutionaries and martial artists Chan Jun and Shou Yu, help in the Chinese effort to usurp the forces against them. The Manchu's have learned that key revolutionary Dr. Sun will be making his way through Canton. [Chan learns of this while at his Ching Wu school of martial arts. He plans a trip to go aid in defending Dr. Sun against any Manchu-Japanese threat. A Russian fighter named Letove, makes a challenge to Chan, but Chan explains he has more important matters to attend. ] Already in Canton, Shou does aid in protecting the good doctor. The Manchu forces in charge of kidnapping Dr. Sun learn that they have Shou's father in prison, and decide to use this against him...Read the entire review

The Story: The ruthless Chings have overthrown the Ming empire, scattering Ming Patriots across the land, including the Ming princess (disguised as a boy) and her guardians carrying the will of the former emperor and the emperor's jewels. However, the Chings are guarding every town, not letting anyone leave with out being inspected. The Princess narrowly escapes capture. One of her protectors (cameo by Carter Wong- Shaolin Kung Fu Mystagogue, Big Trouble in Little China) takes on an army of Ching soldiers, not even stopping when he takes two spears to the gut, and he is only defeated by the deadly White Haired Fox, Ching Prince (Chang Yi- Eagles Claw, Bells of Death, The Victim). The Princess and her lone protector make their way to Ti Long (Bruce Li-Kung Fu Avengers, New Game of Death ) a Ming sympathizer and escort business owner (no not that kind...Read the entire review

The Film: Martial masters Park and Wang Fu trade sons hoping that one day they can have their sons blend the Shaolin and Dragon Fist Styles. However, the evil leader of Wang Fu's Eagle Claw clan, decides it would be far batter to just steal the Shaolin secrets, and in an odd twist, Wang Fu's friend, Park is framed for the theft of the Shaolin fighting manuals. Unable to defeat the Shaolin style, Park is taken prisoner, and his son (actually Wang Fu's son) is left on his own until he is taken in by the Shaolin monasteries cook. The boy, Yueng (played by Gordon Liu- Master Killer, Fist of the White Lotus, Dirty Ho), grows up as a lowly kitchen worker, privately training himself in the martial arts, actually becoming superior to the other students. While, at the Eagle Clan, Parks true son, Chi Lueng (played by Philip Ko- Incredible Kung-fu Master, Bloody Tattoo, Dreadna...Read the entire review

The Film:The opening prologue shows us how the evil Manchus, under the guidance of the Evil Wong Wu Ti , 'The Shaking Eagle Claw' master (which is sort of like eagle claw with epilepsy), have usurped the rebels, particularly the Shaolin Abbot, Wan Hung, who is being pursued by Eagle Claw and his men. After being driven into the mountains, the bloodied and harried monk has to face the deadly Eagle Claw, whom the poor Abbot is no match for. Narrowly escaping, he is saved by two carefree farmers, Shou Tung and Tai Pan, sort of a Dean and Jerry/Abbot and Costello pair of bumbling, young, backwoods bumpkins.

The two are quite proud to have rescued the famous rebel leader, and they go on about their business while the Abbot heals himself in their mountain home. One day while in town, Shou Tung and Tai Pan run afoul of some local thugs, who are pestering the lovely (and secret ...Read the entire review

The black-hearted crime leader Shu Yin Shen (played by the legendary, Liu Chia Liang- 18 Legendary Weapons of China, Drunken Master 2) is liberated from prison by the members of his gang, and, now free, he only has one thing on his mind. Shu and his henchmen (including Leng Kar Yan- Sleeping Fist, The Victim as Pau, and Wilson Tong- Daggers 8, Snake Deadly Act as Slasher Pete) pay a visit to the man that imprisoned him, Captain Siu (Chen Kun Tai- Crippled Avengers, Executioners from Shaolin). The Captain attempts to defend himself and his wife and daughter, but hopelessly outnumbered, Shu's men kill, his wife and child and cut off his thumb, crippling Captain Siu, making him unable to ever hold a weapon again. Without family or a way to defend himself, the evil Shu decides, better to leave Captain Siu alive so he can suffer.

Shu and his gang move on to Black Town, w...Read the entire review

The Film: Twenty years ago, the virtuous Constable, Lee Yu Wei, known as the "Conqueror of Killers', tried to rid the land of Ling Chu's (Bolo Yueng, best known to US audiences as the villain in Bloodsport) gang of killers, but in turn had his family killed and driven into a secretive life. But, over the years Lee Yu Wei has trained a pupil, Chin, who will hopefully be able to restore order. On the other side of the coin, one of the evil Ling Chu's men, Tu Shu has broken off from the crime syndicate and trained a fighter of his own, Shao Lee, though not to restore law and order, but just to collect whatever bounties they can, including the one on his former bosses head. Lee Yu Wei secretly pits the two, Ling Chu and Tu Shu, against each other, so that Ling Chu sends out his top men, the 10 Magnificent Killers to dispose of Tu Shu. Tu Shu and Shao Lee take on five of the k...Read the entire review

Disney Kung Fu (only with copious amounts of profanity and some neck snapping)

The Story: A cute, dirty little street urchin, known only as The Kid (Wong Yat Lung), crosses paths with Constable Chin Ta Khan (Leung Kar Yan- Eagle Claw, Knockabout, The Victim), who is being attacked by a gang he has gathered evidence against. The Kid insults the gang, he and Chin instantly form a bond, and escape from the gang so Chin can heal his previously wounded body. After rescuing a girl (from some men who loaned her money and now want her to become a prostitute) and some more bonding, Chin and the Kid hole up for the night, but are attacked by the gangs leader Ba Tin, who Chin even not in a wounded state is no match for. They are saved by Old Fox (Simon Yuen- Snake in the Eagles Shadow, Drunken Master, Buddhist Fist, Dance of the Drunken Mantis) a foul mouthed, wisened ...Read the entire review

If only Ringling Bros. was this violent...

The Plot: The evil Nine Devils gang enters Sun Valley, and begin to rampage and kill the acrobats living in the remote town. The Nine Devils are, a guy with an eyepatch and chains around his legs, a strongman, a leopard skin clad spiked pole fighter, a guy who uses a chain with a steel hand on it, a mallet guy, an Iron head guy, a guy who uses studded gloves, and a fat tiger claw guy with Phantom of the Opera facepaint. The dashing Ah Tein (Alexander Lo-Rei- Wu Tang Vs Ninja, Shaolin Vs Lama) helps herd the children out of the town, but the Nine Devils want to leave no survivors so two of the Devils follow the pack of children into the hills. Luckily Shaolin monks Master Wisdom and his pupil were in the area and they save the children from certain death. With the bandits having taken over the town and guarding all exits, t...Read the entire review

The Plot: The villagers are transporting a cartload of money, a tribute-payment to the Emperor, when they are suddenly attacked by a group of bandits, the leader of whom has the double affectation of an eyepatch and a hunchback (At this point you can say to yourself, "Well, even if this is a bad movie at least I can say, 'I saw a hunchback kung fu'."). The cache should have protected because the villagers hired Master Wu's men to guard it. So, when the village leader, Master Lee, goes to Master Wu and tries to get their money back. Wu staunchly refuses any compensation, and besides the fact that he wears a weird funky medallion and has a exaggerated 'outie' belly-button, Master Wu is not a man to be trifled with. Luckily, the wealthy Pang (Casanova Wong- Warriors Two), who lives outside of town bails out the villagers.

Now, our Invincible Hero, Ti Ming (Dragon Lee-<...Read the entire review

Despite its star power, Return of the Deadly Blade (1980) has been a fairly obscure title, most likely because it was made by an independent studio and not part of the Shaw and Golden Harvest film cannon that flooded US and European shores with kung fu. To my knowledge, in the US it has only had one or two small, very lackluster vhs releases, and maybe some showing in kung fu grindhouses back in the early 80's. Apart from its well known cast, David Chiang (Bloody Tattoo, Shaolin Mantis, Magnificent Wanderers) Yasuaki Kurata (Challenge of the Ninja, Prodigal Boxer, Ninja in a Deadly Trap), and fighting cameo roles for Lo Leih (Five Fingers of Death, Fist of the White Lotus, Executioners of Death), Tsui Siu Kueng (Duel to the Death), and David Chiang, the film is most notable for its action director, a first timer named Ching Siu Tung, who of course would go on to revolutionize HK fantasy and action w...Read the entire review