Post by avepdx on Aug 1, 2011 23:59:05 GMT -5
Netflix has alot of Martial Arts films from China, Japan, and Thailand. Alot of the newer Japanese ones are very over the top. Like someone gets sliced with a sword and 5 gallons of blood splurts. They are fun in a MST3K kinda of way, but the ones I saw I couldn't last through more then 5-10 minutes. I think they are going for a anime live action style. While, I like the Chinese ones, like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and my favorite House of Flying Daggers (might have gotten the name wrong). I'll watch any film with Ziyi in. 2046 is a good film with her, not a martial arts one. Very wierd and kinda hard to follow. I thought about it for about a week and then I finally think I processed it. Though, I miss the old Jackie Chan film, he does some great acrobatics. Anyways I have been watching alot of the Thai ones, because they kinda remind me of the old Jackie Chan movies. Smaller budget and cool fight scenes with out the higher produced wire Chinese ones (though I do like also). Here are a couple reviews of some Thai ones I've recently seen, I'll try to avoid spoilers. I have one or two Japanese films cued that look promising, will probably check out soon.
Muay Thai Giant (2008)
Stars Nathan Jones, he is this huge 7ft tall Australian who won some strong man contests. He then went into wwf style wrestling. The story goes his character goes to Thailand on vacation, gets robbed and loses his passport, trapped with no were to go. He's huge and everyone is scared of him, but he is very actually very kind. He meets these two girls like 13, ones kinda a thief and the other studies martial arts. The thief one gets in a lot of trouble and gets chased by gang member types. Nathan's character goes to help the girl, but doesn't know how to fight. Anyways the girls end up befriending him. It is a great film for children, fun and humor geared for younger. Sure kids 9-12 would love it. But, there are a few great fight scenes, impressed with some of the moves the girl does, though there are many that have the advantage of good camera angles. The best scene was when the girl fights abunch of guys with a fruit vendor played by Kessarin 'Nui' Ektawatkul. Nui does some great moves and she is just gorgeous. A fair film that will be more enjoyable for children, but a few decent fight scenes. If you can watch only the 15 minutes of the good fight scenese, then worth seeing.
After seeing Nui I had to see what else she has been in. I came across...
Vanquisher (2009)
More of an action film then a martial arts film. Kinda like special forces type stuff. Nui was a secondary character. Action and plot wasn't so good. I wouldn't recommend seeing, but it did have Nui, so wasn't so bad.
Chai Lai Angels: Dangerous Flowers (2006)
Basically Charlies Angels gone Thai. The plot, action, and fight scenes were not so good in this one either. Very slap sticky. Nui was a supporting character in this one too. I wouldn't recommend. Like Vanquisher the fact Nui was in it made it worth it to me. OK minor spoiler... there is atleast one lady boy. Haha, atleast Nui's and the main character Rose weren't. The thief girl from Muay Thai Giant was in this one also.
I have one more film with Nui in, might watch it tomorrow. Don't have much hope.
Muay Thai Giant (2008)
Stars Nathan Jones, he is this huge 7ft tall Australian who won some strong man contests. He then went into wwf style wrestling. The story goes his character goes to Thailand on vacation, gets robbed and loses his passport, trapped with no were to go. He's huge and everyone is scared of him, but he is very actually very kind. He meets these two girls like 13, ones kinda a thief and the other studies martial arts. The thief one gets in a lot of trouble and gets chased by gang member types. Nathan's character goes to help the girl, but doesn't know how to fight. Anyways the girls end up befriending him. It is a great film for children, fun and humor geared for younger. Sure kids 9-12 would love it. But, there are a few great fight scenes, impressed with some of the moves the girl does, though there are many that have the advantage of good camera angles. The best scene was when the girl fights abunch of guys with a fruit vendor played by Kessarin 'Nui' Ektawatkul. Nui does some great moves and she is just gorgeous. A fair film that will be more enjoyable for children, but a few decent fight scenes. If you can watch only the 15 minutes of the good fight scenese, then worth seeing.
After seeing Nui I had to see what else she has been in. I came across...
Vanquisher (2009)
More of an action film then a martial arts film. Kinda like special forces type stuff. Nui was a secondary character. Action and plot wasn't so good. I wouldn't recommend seeing, but it did have Nui, so wasn't so bad.
Chai Lai Angels: Dangerous Flowers (2006)
Basically Charlies Angels gone Thai. The plot, action, and fight scenes were not so good in this one either. Very slap sticky. Nui was a supporting character in this one too. I wouldn't recommend. Like Vanquisher the fact Nui was in it made it worth it to me. OK minor spoiler... there is atleast one lady boy. Haha, atleast Nui's and the main character Rose weren't. The thief girl from Muay Thai Giant was in this one also.
I have one more film with Nui in, might watch it tomorrow. Don't have much hope.
