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Reviews
Tai chi zong shi (2003)
This movie looks up to bad B-Movies
I love kung fu movies. Usually, the cheesier the better. And it is in deed cheesy (a line in the movie actually says "I don't think your kung fu is better than my kung fu"). This does not apply unfortunately to this movie. The Tai Chi Master is simply unwatchable. Not the plot, which is par for a Kung-Fu-Film, but the technical aspects are simply rotten.
The movie looks like it was filmed with a camcorder, and the lighting equipment appears as though it was bought at sears. If this was a student film from a 20 year old attending community college, I would give it an A. But its not a student film, its a professional production. Which is simply sad.
The movie appears to be a parody, but its not. Very sad indeed.
Ong-Bak (2003)
Modern Martial Arts Film Masterpiece
I showed this movie at one of the Anime Reactor (2004) screening rooms. It was very impressive.
The story consists of a boy raised in a small village who is an excellent fighter. The head of the town's statue of the Buddha is stolen and the main character goes to the "Big City" to retrieve it.
While there, he meets his long long brother (or cousin or something like that) who is a na'er do well city-dweller. They go out to find the head together and hijinks ensue.
The movie is very easy to follow (I only saw it once at like 2 in the morning about 6 months ago, sorry for the crappy review), with very entertaining action sequences, and even a few moments of COMEDY GOLDMINE. I absolutely recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys films of the martial arts genre.
It was recently released in American theaters from what I understand, so it may not be everywhere, but take a look around and catch it if you can. Great movie.