Big Trouble in Little China (Single Disc Edition)
from 20th Century Fox
Once you settle into the realization that this 1986 John Carpenter (Halloween) film is not going to be one of the director's more masterful works, Big Trouble in Little China just becomes a full-tilt comic blast. Kurt Russell is hilarious as a drawling, would-be John Wayne hero who steps into the middle of a supernatural war in the heart of Chinatown. While kung fu warriors and otherworldly spirits battle over the fate of two women (Kim Cattrall and Suzee Pai), Russell's swaggering idiot manages to knock himself out or underestimate the forces he's dealing with. The whole thing is dopey, but it's supposed to be dopey and Russell's game performance brings an ironic edge. Carpenter directs some nifty spook effects (the sudden arrival of three martial arts demigods from out of nowhere is worth applause), and he also wrote the music. --Tom Keogh
Directed by thrill master John Carpenter this edge of your seat adventure stars Kurt Russell as Jack Burton a tough talking wisecracking truck driver whose hum drum life on the road takes a sudden supernatural tailspin when his best friend's fianc e is kidnapped. Speeding to the rescue Jack finds himself deep beneath San Francisco's Chinatown in a murky creature filled world ruled by Lo Pan a 2000 year old magician who mercilessly presides over an empire of spirits. Dodging demons and facing baffling terrors Jack battles his way through Lo Pan's dark domain in a full throttle action riddled ride to rescue the girl. Co-starring Kim Cattrall this effects filled sci fi spectacle speeds to an incredible twist taking finish.System Requirements: Running Time 99 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: PG-13 UPC: 024543044758 Manufacturer No: 2004475
Deadly Duo (Shaw Brothers)
by Chang Cheh
from Tokyo Shock
When a handsome prince is taken captive and guarded by a martial arts master, it's up to two powerful patriots to fight overwhelming odds. From the first fascinating minute to the final desperate battle to the death culminating in an unforgettably evocative conclusion -this duo is dynamic as well as deadly.
Filthy Guy
from Tai Seng
Martial Law star Sammo Hung is Dirty Head, an acrobatic servant with a nasty case of mange and a skull harder than a helmet, in this early Hong Kong costume adventure. The ambitious and arrogant Master Chan puts a contract out on Dirty Head because a prophetic funeral ritual gives his servant a leg up on becoming the next King of China. The episodic film chronicles his slapstick stay at a temple, where he hones his martial arts abilities alongside a pair of practical-joking classmates, and his ascension from wandering fighter to revolutionary leader as he attracts a small band of acolytes (including one fighter with some serious gender confusion issues). This 1980 production is full of goofy Three Stooges-style humor and Sammo's mugging, and while the cartoony sound-effect punctuation can get downright excruciating, his acrobatic kung fu is amazing, a fluid and energetic style rarely seen in martial arts productions of the period. The production suffers from pathetic dubbing, and the cropped widescreen film has lackluster color and numerous scratches. --Sean Axmaker
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