Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2004 2:09 pm Post subject: Samurai/Martial Arts (Wuxia) Film
After searching the whole thread of Japanese Entertaintment Discussion, I've finally decided to open a forum about Samurai/Martial Arts (Wuxia) Film/TV Series. In this forum you are free to discuss your favourite martial arts film, artiste or even post your favourite hero... Since I'm not going to limit only Japanese martial arts film/TV series, you can say anything about other martial arts film from HK, China, Korea or whatever you think is cool to be discussed here.
Just feel free to share your knowledge about anything relating to samurai/martial arts film genre from any year, even the classic shaw brothers film, Kurosawa Akira, Gosha Hideo to Kitamura Ryuhei...
Last edited by Akakage on Tue Feb 10, 2004 12:01 pm; edited 1 time in total
Glad to see that you've opened up this thread, Akakage...
I just got Zatoichi Meets Yojimbo and Akahige (Red Beard) in the mail today... And I'm expecting Twilight Samurai and The Yagyu Conspiracy soon...
Thank you... It was blood and sweat of making sure that nobody has ever opened up this thread before.
As for me, the most recent that I watched was Azumi. Zatoichi meets yojimbo?! ...I've not seen that. Yojimbo's kurosawa was such a superb work which is one of my favorite after Sanjuro.
Twilight Samurai...tell me if it's good when you've seen it. I'm thinking of buying it and there's another one called "Mibu Gishi Den" -Yakusho Koji
Thank you... It was blood and sweat of making sure that nobody has ever opened up this thread before.
Good job.
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As for me, the most recent that I watched was Azumi. Zatoichi meets yojimbo?! ...I've not seen that. Yojimbo's kurosawa was such a superb work which is one of my favorite after Sanjuro.
There a long line of Zatoichi films on DVD, all of them starring Katsu Shintaro... And with the popularity of Kurosawa's Yojimbo and Sanjuro, it was only natural to join the two stars in one film...
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Twilight Samurai...tell me if it's good when you've seen it. I'm thinking of buying it and there's another one called "Mibu Gishi Den" -Yakusho Koji
From what I've read, Twilight Samurai should be good, especially with Sanada Hiroyuki... I've been a fan of his since the days of Chiba Shinichi's JAC series Yagyu Ichizoku no Inbo (Yagyu Conspiracy) and Kage no Gundan (Shadow Warriors)...
Yakusho Koji? I first saw him in an early 80's version of Miyamoto Musashi, then in other movies like Tampopo and Shall we Dance?... Another very good actor.
Last edited by bmwracer on Mon Feb 02, 2004 2:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 28 Nov 2003 Posts: 78 Location: Where Gavagai Roam Country:
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 12:25 pm Post subject:
Favourite Martial Arts series: Chor Lau Heung 1984; The Battlefield (even though most of the people I know thinks this was boring); Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber 1986; Fist of Fury
Favourite Films: Iron Monkey; Hero
I have to admit I've never watched a samurai tv series except for 3 Swordsman (but I don't think that really counts does it?) I mean a samurai series with good martial arts/sword fighting skills....
Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 69 Location: Singapore Country:
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2004 3:43 pm Post subject:
The very first dorama that started me off was a samurai dorama series. I don't know what the japanese title was, but the english title was "the sensitive samurai".
It's the story of a samurai Aoe Matahachiro who's lord is disgraced or something and he becomes a ronin.
Lots of very good swordfighting action.
Btw The Twlight Samurai is really good. Miyazawa Rie is fantastic in it.
Favourite Martial Arts series: Chor Lau Heung 1984; The Battlefield (even though most of the people I know thinks this was boring); Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber 1986; Fist of Fury
Favourite Films: Iron Monkey; Hero
I have to admit I've never watched a samurai tv series except for 3 Swordsman (but I don't think that really counts does it?) I mean a samurai series with good martial arts/sword fighting skills....
Waaa..you are wuxia tv series fan too? Me too. I'm quite an addict watching it. My favorite tv series would be the Legend of Condor Heroes and Demi gods and semi-devils..I've watched the 80's,90's and 2000 version just to make the comparison, however I have to admit that the 2000 version are damn good. I also like State of Divinity too.
Favourite Films: Hero, Dragon Inn.
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Yakusho Koji? I first saw him in an early 80's version of Miyamoto Musashi, then in other movies like Tampopo and Shall we Dance?... Another very good actor.
Yup he's a good actor. I've watched one of his film as Samurai in "Doraheita". That film was good although it has less sword fighting.
If you like wuxia, you have to check out stuff from the Shaw Bros. studios around the mid-1960's to 1970's... There were some great films from directors like Chang Cheh and King Hu... If you've ever seen The One Armed Swordsman or The One Armed Swordsman Returns, it makes Kill Bill look tame by comparison...
Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 435 Location: USA Country:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 12:55 pm Post subject:
The new mainland wuxia dramas have been pretty good, mainly Demi-Gods Semi-Devils 2003 (Tian Long Ba Bu) and State of Divinity 2001 (Xiao Ao Jiang Hu). Legend of the Condor Heroes 2003 was kind of a bust, though, as was Heavenly Sword, Dragon Sabre 2003.
Best of the Canto-dramas are HSDS1986, LoCH82 and LoCH94. Not much of a Gu Long fan.
As for movies, Swordsman (based off of State of Divinity storyline) directed by King Hu is crazy stuff. Ashes of Time (if you're in the mood for that), Shaolin Temple, Huang Fei Hong (Once Upon a Time in China) 1 and 2, and All Men Are Brothers. Hero is a horrible waste of a movie, even worse than Crouching Tiger in my opinion. Too much artistic cinematography, and not enough storytelling and pacing.
Most of my Japanese samurai knowledge is from Kurosawa, so I haven't delved much into it. Yojimbo was a good film, as was Seven Samurai. Sanjuro was also a pleasing film, as is Rashomon (dunno if it can be counted as a samurai movie). I heard The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail is really good, but haven't had the opportunity to watch it. I've also seen the three Samurai movies (Musashi), and they were decent. Mibu Gishiden was good. Keep those recommendations coming!
The new mainland wuxia dramas have been pretty good, mainly Demi-Gods Semi-Devils 2003 (Tian Long Ba Bu) and State of Divinity 2001 (Xiao Ao Jiang Hu). Legend of the Condor Heroes 2003 was kind of a bust, though, as was Heavenly Sword, Dragon Sabre 2003.
Best of the Canto-dramas are HSDS1986, LoCH82 and LoCH94. Not much of a Gu Long fan.
As for movies, Swordsman (based off of State of Divinity storyline) directed by King Hu is crazy stuff. Ashes of Time (if you're in the mood for that), Shaolin Temple, Huang Fei Hong (Once Upon a Time in China) 1 and 2, and All Men Are Brothers. Hero is a horrible waste of a movie, even worse than Crouching Tiger in my opinion. Too much artistic cinematography, and not enough storytelling and pacing.
Most of my Japanese samurai knowledge is from Kurosawa, so I haven't delved much into it. Yojimbo was a good film, as was Seven Samurai. Sanjuro was also a pleasing film, as is Rashomon (dunno if it can be counted as a samurai movie). I heard The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail is really good, but haven't had the opportunity to watch it. I've also seen the three Samurai movies (Musashi), and they were decent. Mibu Gishiden was good. Keep those recommendations coming!
What about Zatoichi? Not the new one with a blond (?) Kitano Takeshi, but with Katsu Shintaro... The guy was Zatoichi.
Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Posts: 70 Location: USA Country:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 3:53 pm Post subject:
Awesome thread, I can get more infro on what was good. Quick question for anyone who might know, what's the deal with the Stormriders and A Man Called Hero/ Blood Sword Dynasty tv series. Good? Not good? anyone know?
As far as samurai movies, I think Yojimbo is fantastic, and looking at the new
Zatoichi, I hope they don't try to make a third in the Yojimbo franchise, it would put fans in an uproar, but would be cool none the less. Anyone seen the Lone Wold and Club movies? Any good?
Awesome thread, I can get more infro on what was good. Quick question for anyone who might know, what's the deal with the Stormriders and A Man Called Hero/ Blood Sword Dynasty tv series. Good? Not good? anyone know?
As far as samurai movies, I think Yojimbo is fantastic, and looking at the new
Zatoichi, I hope they don't try to make a third in the Yojimbo franchise, it would put fans in an uproar, but would be cool none the less. Anyone seen the Lone Wold and Club movies? Any good?
welcome to this thread..Anyway..I've seen Stormriders the TV series..not in whole though, because I've found it boring..too many special effects. Beside, Chao Wen Chuo is not suitable to be Wind.
Eh? A man Called Hero is going to be made TV series? I don't know about that.
Yay..Yojimbo is great...I like it a lot.
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The new mainland wuxia dramas have been pretty good, mainly Demi-Gods Semi-Devils 2003 (Tian Long Ba Bu) and State of Divinity 2001 (Xiao Ao Jiang Hu). Legend of the Condor Heroes 2003 was kind of a bust, though, as was Heavenly Sword, Dragon Sabre 2003.
Best of the Canto-dramas are HSDS1986, LoCH82 and LoCH94. Not much of a Gu Long fan
I agree that the mainland wuxia dramas have been pretty good especially Legend of the Condor Heroes. Recently, I've just finished Tian Long Ba Bu..GREAT!!!!! Basically, I don't like fighting scene with too many special effects, like those made in Taiwan Wuxia series except State of Divinity (richie ren and Anita Yuen). Yes I agree best canto drama are those that you mentioned and another one...I am also not a Gu Long fan..too draggy...Louis Cha is better!!
Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 435 Location: USA Country:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:20 pm Post subject:
gohmifune wrote:
Awesome thread, I can get more infro on what was good. Quick question for anyone who might know, what's the deal with the Stormriders and A Man Called Hero/ Blood Sword Dynasty tv series. Good? Not good? anyone know?
As far as samurai movies, I think Yojimbo is fantastic, and looking at the new
Zatoichi, I hope they don't try to make a third in the Yojimbo franchise, it would put fans in an uproar, but would be cool none the less. Anyone seen the Lone Wold and Club movies? Any good?
No, unfortunately I haven't even touched Zatoichi at all! From what I've heard of Stormriders and a Man Called Hero, they both weren't very good. I don't think they'll make a third in the Yojimbo series because both Kurosawa and Mifune have passed away...
Joined: 28 Nov 2003 Posts: 78 Location: Where Gavagai Roam Country:
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2004 11:47 pm Post subject:
Twilight Samurai that's the one I have to watch - that looks good...I have to buy the dvd when I'm in TO....
I'm just wondering if there are samurai epic tv dramas available (umm...with english subtitles though)...I haven't seen any available but then again, I may not have been looking hard enough... I'm really interested in watching one....
Mostly because I luv watching period films and series - even with HK tv series, I usually watch period dramas instead of modern day ones regardless of whether it has martial arts or not.
I have to admit I have never watched the Legend of the Condor Heroes except for this new one from China that's currently being subbed...also I've never watched the Demi Gods and the Semi Devils either. There was fairly recent martial arts drama shown last year called Find the Light and that was quite good...
Twilight Samurai that's the one I have to watch - that looks good...I have to buy the dvd when I'm in TO....
Try eBay. That's where I got my copy. If you want the link to the seller, let me know. He seems to have a lot of Asian DVDs...
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I'm just wondering if there are samurai epic tv dramas available (umm...with english subtitles though)...I haven't seen any available but then again, I may not have been looking hard enough... I'm really interested in watching one....
Have you seen Musashi?? There's another person I know who is selling the entire series on DVDR... Just let me know.
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I've finally decided to open a forum about Samurai/Martial Arts (Wuxia) Film/TV Series. In this forum you are free to discuss your favourite martial arts film, artiste or even post your favourite hero... 
Since I'm not going to limit only Japanese martial arts film/TV series, you can say anything about other martial arts film from HK, China, Korea or whatever you think is cool to be discussed here.
It was blood and sweat of making sure that nobody has ever opened up this thread before.
