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Reviews
Into the Badlands (2015)
Surprisingly and pleasantly excellent
This series is the best martial arts flick I have seen in a long time! So good I just had to write a review! Note however it is a martial arts flick so if you don't like seeing bad ass fighting please steer clear of it! In the 80s martial arts flicks were the bomb, but then the production level of most films and TV series weren't that good back then. As movies and TV series gradually got better martial arts flicks got cheesier, so it is refreshingly good to see a series that gets almost everything right.
1 – Most martial flicks have shallow story lines that don't justify the amount or kind of violence you see in it. Into the Badlands gets it right by creating a whole world thus laying a believable background for the action that occurs.
2 – Most martial art flicks use terrible actors thus the cheesy feeling. Into the Badlands uses top notch actors that deliver a wonderful performance.
3 – Martial arts flicks are generally about the action thus the story is second class. Into the Badlands has a very rich and deep plot that keeps you totally intrigued (I saw all 6 episodes in a sitting, even though I had planned to see just the first episode). It uses a game of thrones like structure where you have so many intriguing subplots occurring at the same time whilst there is an underlying plot gradually building up and bringing it all together.
4 – Lots of martial arts flicks have a low budget and production so we get to see annoyingly choreographed fighting or cheap looking CGI. Into the Badlands provides top notch realistic looking beautiful action scenes, reminiscent of the days you would watch a flick and want to go out and enroll in a martial arts school.
5 – As martial flicks got cheesier they compensated with sex and nudity often totally out of place with the narrative. Into the Badlands doesn't go this route at all, there is no hardcore sex or nudity in it. Honestly, I actually find this disappointing though because considering the world they created and the primal existence of the people in it, I feel some hardcore scenes would actually have helped the narrative.
Sorry, my review is so long, guess it shows how impressed I am by this series. Definitely a five out of five stars!
Jean Claude Van Damme: Behind Closed Doors (2011)
A must see for all JCVD fans
I have just finished all 8 episodes and if you are a true JCVD fan u definitely have to see it (at least once). It portrays a side of JCVD not seen in any movie. I found it answered a lot of questions/accusations about JCVD. A lot of martial artists "myself inclusive" have often thought his moves impractical, he clearly shows us he is arming at impressive moves on set not practical, even at detriment to his own health(as a doctor reveals). We see a human being who has had good times and bad times, ups and downs like most of us and we see an imitable spirit that will not accept defeat which is probably why he is such a huge star loved all over the world. However i wish he wouldn't regret his past mistakes so much, they seem to be really bearing down on him, he needs to realise everyone makes mistakes and its best to move on. Also the fight with somluck isn't a very good idea, personally i would like to see it but objectively he really shouldn't do it, if he wins it wouldn't change much, his critics will still be critics and probably cry all sorts of foul play, on the down side if he loses it will probably destroy most of what is left of his self esteem. It is wonderful that a star cares enough for his fans to bare all on TV and i would advise anyone to ignore the critics and see this at least once.
The Sensei (2008)
definitely worth watching
I found this movie surprisingly good,Some unexpected twists, rich story line, good acting. This is not a martial art movie, this is a good movie set in a martial art background. Its difficult to decide which is better diana lee's acting or her martial arts both are top grade. Louis Mandylor is quite touching with his role. Generally good acting from everyone. The fight scenes are the most realistic i have seen in a very long time. None of the one person beating up 20 people that has become tiresome this days in martial art movies.It also shows the rich character and morale fiber which is what the martial arts is about not just hammering people to a pulp like MMA tries to portray.