Martial Arts Mayhem Movies!

Also starring: Benson Fong, richard Loo, Keye Luke, Phillip Ahn, Victor Sen Yung, Robert Ito, James Hong, Ramades Pera, Roy Jenson, and Keith Carradine (uncredited)

According to Bruce Lee's widow, Linda Lee Cadwell, Lee originated the concept and was intended to star in the series, but David Carradine was cast because the network felt the American audience was not ready for an Asian actor as the lead and Lee received no credit for his concept. (This was dramatized in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993).) But according to the producers, although Lee was consulted and was considered for the role, they created the concept and Carradine was always their first choice.

In several episodes, a younger Kwai Chang Caine was played by Keith Carradine, David Carradine's younger brother. Their other brother Robert Carradine and their father John Carradine also appeared in episodes (as Sonny Jim and Serenity Johnson, respectively).

The only reason this show went off the air was because star David Carradine quit the series. He had sustained so many injuries, he felt he could not go on. The show got high ratings all three seasons it aired.

Also starring: Byron Minns, Phil Morris, Miguel Nunez, Nicole Ari Parker, Tucker Smallwood, Mike Starr, Nicole Sullivan, Mykelti Williamson, Bokeem Woodbine, Roger Yuan, James McManus, Obba Babatundé Gary Daniels (stunts) James Lew (stunts) Simon Rhee (stunts)

Michael Jai White has stated he was not just playing Black Dynamite, but also the actor playing Black Dynamte. The actor, Ferrante Jones, was a running back for the Baltimore Colts whose career ended due to a broken neck. If you pay attention you'll notice that Black Dynamite has a hard time turning his neck to one side. This is because of Jones' neck injury.

Michael Jai White first had the idea for the movie while filming Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006) in Bulgaria. James Brown's Superbad was playing on his iPod and the "blaxpoitation" film idea came to him. He first wanted to call the film Superbad (2007), but that title had already been taken so he came up with "Black Dynamite".

The opening scene which features an African-American actor using an effected quasi-English accent and precise diction while delivering his lines is a play on several well known actors who are featured in blaxploitation yet got their roots in William Shakespeare performances. William Marshall, star of Blacula (1972), starred in eight different productions of Othello before playing Mamuwalde/Blacula in 1972.

The sex scene that introduces us to Black Dynamite at the beginning of the film features visual references to two Dolemite films starring Rudy Ray Moore. The alternating of POV and over the shoulder shots are the same techniques used for sex scenes in both Dolemite (1975) and The Human Tornado (1976).

Several female adult film stars make their mainstream/feature film debut in this movie and have various small speaking roles, including Charlotte Stokely, Erika Vution, Stacy Adams (who plays Nurse Jenny in the mock-porno doctor's office scene), Charmane Star, and Justine Joli.

The boom microphone is visible several times on the top of the frame. Usually if a boom mike is visible in a finished film, it is either because of a mistake made by the filmmakers during shooting or (much more frequently) a mistake made by the projectionist at the movie theater - but in the case of this movie, the mike being visible is a joke meant to parody the lack of film production expertise on the sets of the original "blaxploitation" movies that this movie is referencing.

Also starring: James Morrison, Tucker Smallwood, Dean Norris, Steve Rankin

Filmed in 2001 but supposedly set well into Earth's future, in the first Earth-universe scene at the Earth-prison (about 20 minutes into the movie), just before Law (Jet Li) attacks the prison guards transferring a prisoner, a prison TV airs a news channel reporting this Earth's US Gov't is likely to enact "Universal Health Care" for its citizens . . . little did the movie's producers know that in just nine years, the Obama Administration would pass the Affordable Care Act.

When Dwayne Johnson ('The Rock') was attached to star, this film was known as The Rock Movie. When he left to work on The Mummy Returns (2001), it was listed for a short while as Untitled Sci-Fi Project, and when Jet Li came aboard, it became The One.

Each of the universes that are listed along with Yulaw's charges is named after a star or constellation (in keeping with the idea that a new universe is formed when a star collapses): Monoceros, Tucana, Canopus, Serpens, and Shaula. The one exception is Lawless's universe. His, along with the other universes that are actually shown in the film, are all named after mythological gods (a possible allusion to Yulaw's hope to become a god himself, by absorbing the energy of his other selves). Lawless is from Anubis universe, after the Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife. Gabe is from Charis universe, after the Greek goddesses of charm and beauty. The penal colony is in Hades universe, after the Greek god of the Underworld. The colony itself is called Stygian Penal Colony: the word Stygian refers to the River Styx, which was located in the Greek Underworld. The location of the Multiverse Agency is called, simply, "Multiverse."

For the martial arts aficionados: Jet Li uses two distinct kung fu styles when portraying Gabe and Yulaw. The evil Yulaw uses Xingyi Quan, or "Mind-Form Fist" (loosely translated). As can be seen when he is training, it is a very linear, offensive style. Gabe on the other hand practices Bagua Zhang, or the "Eight Trigrams Palm". It is characterized by open palm fighting, with circular footwork. Both styles are two of the three main "internal" styles of Chinese kung fu - the third being Taiji Quan (Tai Chi).

According to Bey Logan on his commentary of the dragon dynasty release of "The Enforcer", he mentioned that this film would be on DVD on the dragon dynasty label, it finally saw a release as part of a five film DVD collection in 2015.

Co-starring: John Fujioka, Don Stewart, John LaMotta, Tadashi Yamashita, Phillip Brock, Tony Carreon, Roi Vinzon, Richard Norton (also stunts), Mike Stone (stunt double: Ninja)

The first of three films that Michael Dudikoff would go on to work with Director Sam Firstenberg which also included Avenging Force (1986) and American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987).

All three major cast members of the "American Ninja" franchise starred in three entries of the series. They all starred with each other at least once but NEVER all three in the same film. Michael Dudikoff starred with Steve James in this film and American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1987) and with David Bradley in American Ninja 4: The Annihilation (1990). Bradley starred with James in American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt (1989) and by himself in American Ninja 5 (1993).

Originally the studio chose Chuck Norris to star in the film, but chose not to do the film because he didn't want his face hidden on camera. He stated "If I'm going to be in a film, I don't want my face hidden. I'm going to be me".

In an interview with German media in 2012, Michael Dudikoff revealed he had contracted malaria during filming, and that he can be seen to be excessively sweating at the end of fight scenes as a result.

Director Sam Firstenberg admitted in an interview that audiences didn't like seeing a woman ninja in Ninja III: The Domination (1984). This is why Cannon Films sought to find a "James Dean"-like action star to be the ninja in this film. The studio wanted someone who looked like James Dean, didn't talk much and seemed to carry a chip on his shoulder. During this process Sam auditioned 2000 actors and narrowed it down to 200. Though Michael Dudikoff had no martial-arts training, he had the look Cannon was looking for and was cast in the lead.

A rare 1984 poster featuring the rock band KISS advertising their album "Animalize" can be seen on the wall in Joe's squad's sleeping quarters. Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and Eric Carr have their faces hidden by additional stickers to avoid any potential legal problems, and Mark St. John's head seems to be cropped off by the camera angle.

Steve James said in an interview that Michael Dudikoff was anxious about working with him, since James knew martial arts and Dudikoff didn't and he didn't want to be shown up. James even requested his final fight scenes be filmed on the other side of the compound, far away from Dudikoff, to avoid any further problems. It wasn't until halfway through filming the sequel that the two of them set their differences aside.

Co-starring: John P. Ryan, Karl Johnson, Marc Alaimo, Allison Gereighty, Loren Farmer, Rick Boyle, Kane Hodder

Originally written as a sequel to Invasion U.S.A. (1985) with Chuck Norris returning to the role of Matt Hunter. When he was uninterested, the role was rewritten to be younger and given to rising Cannon star Michael Dudikoff instead. Despite sharing the same main character name, the finished film was no longer intended to be a sequel or prequel to the earlier film, but it's own stand-alone movie.

The photograph that Michael Dudikoff's character picks up and stares at along with Steve James, is actually a previous production still from American Ninja (1985), another Golan-Globus Production from Cannon films.

Also starring: Biff Yeager, Charles Grant, Felix Silla

Bone: Who the hell do you think you are?! Muhammad Ali?

Robert Sand: No, I'm better!

Jim Kelly also choreographed the martial arts scenes.

Also starring: Nona Gaye, Michelle Belegrin, Bob "Hammerman" Sapp, Dick Anthony Williams, Francis "Tats" Capra, Ron Yuan, Kevin "KimboSlice"Ferguson, Gina Carano, Maurice Smith, Ernest "TheCat" Miller, Matt "Price" Mullins, Melvin Anthony, Imani "Lamont" Lee, Roger Yuan (stunts) and Bob Wall & Gene Bell

James: Genghis Khan once said, the greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemy, and chase them before you. To rob them of their wealth, and to have those dear to them bathed in tears. Isaiah Bone: I... am the punishment of God. And if you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you... Genghis

According to the DVD commentary, the scene that used the song "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung was meant to use ABBA's "Dancing Queen", but "ABBA wasn't having that".

A semi-biography of a young Bruce lee. Somewhat accurate (but badly edited) account of Bruce Lee( played by look-a-like Lee Shiao-Lung) striving to perfect his fighting style and how he is continually threatened by other schools of Kung Fu, jealous of his power,ability and agility.

The late great character actor who specialized in slimy treacherous bad guys,Ping Ou Wei (billed as Wei Ping-Ao), has a nice cameo in this film. He is best remembered as the effeminate 'Interpreter Wu' of the Japanese school in the real Bruce Lee's "The Chinese Connection" and Lee's "The Way of the Dragon" as also another effeminate character called 'Ho' ( billed as as Paul Wei Ping-Ao)

THE GUY WITH SECRET KUNG FU (1981) stars Meng Fei and Li Chung Chien as two anti-Qing rebels and kung fu fighters who frequently rescue damsels in distress, including one memorable boat fight at the very beginning of the film. Thugs try to board a boat carrying a pretty lady and the two heroes, fishing nearby, leap onto the lady's boat and fight off all the thugs. The two are later captured but are then recruited to go after the Dragon Gang. This slim plot gives them lots of excuses to fight. There are some good villains, including Wang Hsieh as a corrupt official and Sally Chen Sa Li as the icily beautiful female head of the Dragon gang. A taoist monk uses his spells to turn a massive fighter (Cheng Fu Heng) into an unstoppable zombie warrior. Finally, the coffin maker's daughter (Nancy Yen) helps out the two heroes by teaching them Dragon Fist and coming up with the herbal mixture that will free the giant guy from his zombie trance. It all culminates in a series of major battles with the two chief villains.

Still, it's not a bad kung fu film at all, with good location work and strong performances by the three fighting stars, Meng Fei, Li Chung Chien and Wang Hsieh, whose "toad style" is matched by the two heroes' "dragon fist" in the exciting final battle.

Co-starring: Shun-Yee Yuen, Kun Li

Aka as "The Prodigal Boxer and Kung-Fu: Punch of Death

In one of his earliest film roles, Fei Meng stars as a gifted but proud young martial arts student who injures and kills an opponent and his father is killed in return. He then vows revenge and begins to prepare for the epic face-off.

Nice Bruce Lee wannabee rip-off. Highly recommend.

"Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself makes you fearless." - Lao Tzu

Nathan Jones is so large (he is 6' 10"), and the beds in Chinese hotels so small, he had to fit three beds together.

Anthony De Longis and Jet Li broke at least six swords during their sword fight just for the first take.

Nathan Jones, in order to keep his physique, eats six meals a day, gulps down mineral water by the liter, and does 150 push-ups whenever he gets a break.

Michelle Yeoh had in a small role which was cut to ease the film's running time from over two hours down to a more audience-friendly 106 minutes.

The makers of the film agreed to title it 'Legend Of A Fighter', until Casting Director Mike Leeder informed them that a film already existed under that name. Coincidentally, not only would the films have shared the same Chinese and English titles, they were action-directed by Woo-ping Yuen (also directing the 1982 film). Yuen had previously been unaware of the 1982 film's English title

Also costarring: Hapkido Grandmaster Ing Sik Whang, The late great Ping Ou Wei, funny character actor Di Chin and in a small uncredited role, a very young Jackie Chan!

Also starring: Ken Lo, Andy Lau, Vincent Tuataane

Wong Fei-hung: [Drinking some very strong alcohol in the middle of a fight] What the hell is that?

Mrs. Wong: What does it mean when there's a picture of a skull?

Wong Fei-hung: Good stuff!!!

Jackie Chan's character is supposed to be half the age the actor was at the time of filming.

In the HK Version, in the outtakes, the theme music is sung by Jackie Chan! He sings most of them in his original HK films.

Director Chia-Liang Liu and star Jackie Chan clashed often during filming. Among their disagreements, Liu had a particular style of filming which involved quick tracking shots, slow-motion and the use of wide-angle lenses to play with perspective, which Chan didn't appreciate, Liu wanted to have more of the realistic Huen-Gar style of fighting whereas Chan felt the fans wanted more of the drunken style and Liu wanted to use wires during the fight scenes, which Chan was categorically opposed to. Lau eventually left the film, with Chan taking over as director for the final fight scene.

The seven-minute fight at the end of the film took nearly four months to shoot. Jackie Chan indicated that one day's filming typically produces three seconds of usable film.

The fight at the end was originally to be Jackie Chan versus Ho-Sung Pak, but Sung Pak repeatedly strained his ankle. Instead, Chan had his personal bodyguard 'Ken Lo (I)' train intensively (lots of stretching and fast kicking) for three months to take the part.

No wires or CG work were used in the fights. Tony Jaa performs all of his own stunts.

Tony Jaa trained extensively in the ancient form of Muay Boran (the predecessor to Muay Thai) for four years in preparation for Ong-bak.

Ajarn Yodthong (a great master of muay thai) makes an uncredited guest spot role in this movie. He is the man selling cigarettes. This can be seen when Ting fights in "The Pub" for the second time.

Prior to the film's release in the western world, action hero Steven Seagal was so impressed by it that he planned to release the film through his production company with newly-shot scenes featuring himself as the teacher of Tony Jaa's character.

In the three-wheeled taxi scene, when one of the little taxis flies and crashes into a building, on a wall in the lower left of the screen, under the highway, you can see writing that says: "Hi Luc Besson we are waiting for you".

More than Luc Besson, the crew also seems to like Steven Spielberg. During the alley chase, right after Tony Jaa has performed some break-dance-looking moves on a table, he jumps off and runs away, while the text "Hi Speilberg let do it together" can be read on the wall in the background.

Also starring: Mariska Hargitay, Dante Basco, Beau Starr, Seth Sakai, Professor Toru Tanaka, Clyde Kusatsu, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Roger Yuan, James Lew, Leo Lee, Ray Sua, Branscombe Richmond, Thomas Rosales Jr., Al Leong (uncredited)

Four of the actors from this movie - 'Mako', Dante Basco, James Hong and Clyde Kusatsu - would work together again in Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Storm (2005), in which all four voiced characters.

Also starring: Frank Grillo, Kevin Dunn, Maximilliano Hernandez, Bryon Cullen, Jake McLaughlin, Noah Emmerich, Kurt "Koba" Angle, Erik "MadDog" Apple, Laura Kenley

Joel Edgerton tore his MCL in the cage during production, halting fight scenes for six weeks. Tom Hardy suffered a broken toe, broken ribs, and a broken finger.

When the announcer is quoting Koba's credentials, he states that he is an Olympic Gold medalist in wrestling. Kurt Angle, the actor playing Koba, won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics in the 220lbs/100 kg weight class for freestyle wrestling. He was also a world champion in the same style and weight class in 1995.

Brendan Conlon may be loosely based on the life of real-life UFC fighter Rich "Ace" Franklin. Like the character, Franklin was also a high school teacher who took part in cage-fights to make extra money.

The footage shown of Tommy Riordan wrestling in high school is actually high school footage of Pennsylvania high school standout, and later NCAA Division I champion and US Olympic team member Cary Kolat. Kolat was also unbeaten during his high school career as it is suggested Tommy was.

#1 Andy "The Hammer" Anderson VS Jon "The Giant" Hess

Tae Kwon Do--------VS----------- S.A.F.T.A

31yr-5'9"-238lbs -----------------25yr-6'7"-295lbs

#2 Todd "el Tiburon" Medina VS Larry "Thunderfoot" Cureton

Jeet Kune Do-------VS------------American Kickboxing

24yr-5'10"-260lbs-----------------35yr-6'2"-230lbs

#3 Oleg "The Russian Bear" Taktarov VS Ernie "Paramedic" Verdecia

Sambo-------------VS-------------------Kenpo/Karate

27yr-6'0"-205lbs------------------------27yr-5'10"-219lbs

#4 Dan "The Beast" Severn VS Joe "GhettoMan" Charles

Wrestling----------------VS-------Judo

36yr-6'2"-260lbs-------------------35yr-6'1"-260lbs

SUPER FIGHT Ken Wayne Shamrock VS Royce Gracie

Shootfighting ----------VS----Jiu-Jitsu

31yr-6'0"-205lbs----------------29yr-6'1"-180lbs

Don "The Beast" Severn vs Mark "The Hammer" Coleman!

And introducing 19 year old Brazilian sensation Vitor Belfort!

Interviewer is a young Joe Rogan.

Guest Commentator: David Abbott

Yeun Wo Ping whose astounding fight choreographs have been like Kill Bill and The Matrix, also did it here in this old classic.

Also starring: Ping Ou Wei, Di Chen

A Jackie Chan wannabe film. Not bad. Check it out!