Movies - TV
Movies That Only Die-Hard Martial Arts Fans Have Probably Seen
By ROB HUNTER
Sun Dragon
In “Sun Dragon,” two men seek revenge on the villains causing them grief beneath the baking sun of the Arizona desert. Carl Scott is the main reason to watch as his presence in the genre as a truly talented Black martial artist given a starring role was a real rarity in the late '70s, and from the training montage on, he's a force to be reckoned with.
Tiger Over Wall
The film nicely sets up its protagonist and antagonist as supporting players in an ensemble about corruption, clashes of loyalty, and the mystery of a missing dog before blowing it all out with an epic third-act explosion of fight action. Hwang Jang Lee and Phillip Ko's fight moves through various weapons and styles before one emerges victorious.
We're Going to...
A policeman heads to a small island in pursuit of a thief but finds something far more dangerous — the island community has a taste for human flesh. Director Tsui Hark's "We're Going to Eat You" is a horror-comedy that succeeds on both fronts while also injecting plenty of fight action throughout.
The Champions
Yuen Biao plays a country bumpkin who falls in love with soccer and tries to navigate the rough and tumble world of professional sports. What makes this film extra special is the way Biao and writer-director Brandy Yuen Jan-yeung are able to blend martial arts into an otherwise traditional sports framework.
Magic Crystal
"Magic Crystal" — a silly but exciting riff on "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" — is a family film of sorts, filled with wall-to-wall fights and the occasional bit of sexual harassment. Look past the family fantasy label, and it's all about the action, with the likes of Andy Lau, Cynthia Rothrock, Phillip Ko, and Richard Norton.