The DVDs listed here are a mix of both entertainment and instructional titles, with the majority being martial arts related movies. When possible, I have given a personal review of each title. In some cases, particularly with the general movie titles, I have provided links out to Amazon.com and to the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB) so you can get an idea what others think.
As for recommendations, I can certainly point a few out! As you may know by now, I am studying the I.K.C.A. system of Chinese Kenpo and there are some killer DVDs out there directly from the Karate Connection. If you are studying the system, I would recommend that you take a look at the training DVDs. They are broken up by belt level and provide instruction directly from founding Grandmasters Chuck Sullivan and Vic LeRoux! Even if you are currently studying this system under a certified instructor, these DVDs are still a great source for reference.
Another great set of DVDs from the Karate Connection is the Freestyle Fighting set. This is a two disc set that features fantastic instruction from some great instructors of I.K.C.A. Kenpo, such as Steve Muhammad (Sanders), Glen Lyman, Armando Deloa and many more. This one is a must see!
The Matrix trilogy is one my all time favorites but there are a couple of lesser known movies that also provide a great escape. Although it isn’t exactly a “martial arts” movie, Ghost Dog was particularly entertaining on a certain level. It features Forest Whittaker as a street smart assassin for hire who chooses to live his life through his interpretation of the Samurai code as he reads it from the book Hagakure. It is interesting, and almost humorous at times, how the main character attempts to bring the two eras together.
Another absolute all time favorite is Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior starring Tony Jaa. This guy rocks on the screen! He is a Thai boxing specialist who combines his martial arts abilities with a background in gymnastics to create an explosive screen presence. Aside from some great fight scenes, there is one scene in particular that I like where Jony Jaa is going through some Thai boxing maneuvers; he is so solid in his stances and fluid in his movements that it is just fantastic to watch.
There are some other great movies listed here. Follow the links at the tops of the pages to navigate and have fun!
~Bonzai~ |
