Chow Yun-Fat, 1920s China, action, humor. Yes, it's long, but it's good: see it.
 
Donnie Yen is so bad ass in this tribute to Bruce Lee, and probably the best film martial artist / choreographer working today. The fight scenes are fantastic, but the direction and editing of the rest is terrible.
http://www.legendofthefist.com/
 
Jackie Chan has a small role, but this is entirely Andy Lau's Shaolin. High production value, violent, historical kung-fu drama about a warlord's fall and redemption in the temple of Shaolin.

LITTLE BIG SOLDIER

9/26/2011

 
The action sequences are fine, but the rest of the film stinks. It's interesting to see Jackie Chan play a grizzled old soldier who wants to be a farmer again, but how many horses have to be tripped and probably seriously injured? Makes True Legend look masterful in comparison.

TRUE LEGEND

9/19/2011

 
Yuen Woo Ping is a master of Kung Fu action, and delivers a classic Chinese Wushu story (with strong Nationalistic theme) about the origins of drunken boxing. Lots of wire work and weapons. Gorgeous.
Official Site: http://releasing.indomina.com/true-legend/
 
As Josef von Sternberg had Marlene Dietrich, Yimou Zhang had Gong Li. This film has it all; story with depth, beauty, 1930's Shanghai gangsters, great performances. If you're unfamiliar with the work of Yimou Zhang Shanghai Triad is a great place to start!

Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/shanghai/index.html

IP MAN 2

4/24/2011

 
Sammo Hung got his meaty hands into this one and gives Donnie Yen a worthy opponent / partner in the continuing Chinese struggle for respect: this time it's against the "foreign devils" British occupiers and their western boxing style. Not as satisfying as the first Ip Man, but worth a viewing for the many thrilling fight scenes. Ip Man 2 contains more boxing than The Fighter!

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Ip_Man_2/70137753?trkid=496624#height1269
Official Site: http://www.ipman2movie-us.com/

IP MAN

4/17/2011

 
Now that Jackie Chan and Jet Li have retired from starring in martial art movies, Donnie Yen has carried on the classic Kung Fu tradition with the help of fight choreographer Sammo Hung. Heavy on Chinese national pride, authentic to the era, IP MAN, (Bruce Lee's Wing Chun Master) is loaded with great fight scenes, and a compelling story. Any doubts I had about Donnie Yen have been put to rest after seeing his Wing Chun skills. IP MAN 2; out on DVD this week: yeah!

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Ip_Man/70118799?trkid=496624#height2002
Offical Site: http://www.ipman-movie.com