The Martial Arts Mania Podcast

We're back and we've got a brand new episode for you, hot off the press! Listen in as we break down another epic double Kung Fu screening at the New Beverly Cinema, this time featuring dynamic super kicker John Liu! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We are back with a short and sweet episode this week, with a very special guest, our very own sensei, Peter ‘Sugarfoot' Cunningham! This time around, we are paying tribute to our dear friend and a man sensei considered a brother, Richard Norton. Listen in as sensei talks about how they first met, the special relationship the two had, and some of his fondest memories with his dear friend “Richie”. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, Gavin and I have another great entry in our fan favorite ‘Kung Fu Comfort Films' series! Per usual, we are looking at films we go back to time and time again! Whether it is for nostalgia, background noise, or we just straight up need a Kung Fu fix, these movies always deliver in the best kind of way! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

The world works in awfully strange ways sometimes. We had been having a blast recording our episodes on the Lucky Stars series, and we were looking forward to discussing the final film of the initial trilogy, Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars, for a multitude of reasons. Amongst those, are the stellar action scenes found throughout the film, particularly the finale, in which a trio of deadly assassins take on our lovable bunch of misfits in an epic throwdown! One of the most memorable aspects of this extremely hard-hitting and kinetic sequence is the battle between the legendary Sammo Hung and martial arts maestro Richard Norton. We were scheduled to record on Saturday, but work related events postponed our recording by a couple of days. Little did we know, that within that time frame, our mate Richard would suddenly pass away. Shocked, devastated, and utterly confused by the news, we initially decided to postpone our episode until a later point in time. Upon much reflection though, we ultimately came to the conclusion that we should move forward with the episode. Listen in as we breakdown why we enjoy this film so much, the similarities and differences between it and its predecessors, and our future plans for paying tribute to the wonderful human being that was Richard Norton. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy.

This week, we are taking a look at the second film in the Lucky Stars series, appropriately titled, ‘My Lucky Stars'! An early example of what can be considered a “requel”, this film acts primarily as a reboot of the series, taking an almost identical formula from the first one, with most of the same cast returning, an ups the stakes with even crazier action, international locales, and zany comedy scenarios that are definitely not as family friendly as the first film's! Listen in as we break down this action classic, that cranks the martial arts mayhem up to an 11, while simultaneously taking the humor in a whole new, and far less innocent direction. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This time around, Gavin and I are starting our deep dive into the Lucky Stars series, with its very first entry- ‘Winners and Sinners'! Listen in as we break down one of our all-time favorite Hong Kong comedies, that just so happens to also have some stellar martial arts action! The first in the long running Lucky Stars series, this first entry is an often underrated and forgotten gem that might actually be the strongest standalone film of the entire series! Balancing that fine line between local and universal in terms of the comedy, as well as being a groundbreaking piece in terms of contemporary fight choreography in Hong Kong martial arts cinema, ‘Winners and Sinners' is an absolute must for anyone that is a fan of the genre! Listen in as we break down what makes this film so iconic, where it succeeded where other entries in the series failed, and why the comedy is so relatable even to this day! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We're back! And this time around, in celebration of Chuck Norris' 85th birthday, we are reviewing one of his most martial arts centric films in his extensive library of work- ‘Forced Vengeance'! Listen in as we break down this 80's classic about a high kicking American cowboy out for vengeance against the seedy underworld of Hong Kong! Part martial arts flick, part Neo-noir, and all out action, this one has a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy (including a stellar cameo from our friend Richard Norton)! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We are back, and this time around, we are talking about one of my all time favorite martial arts documentaries, the 1976 Karate epic ‘Fighting Black Kings' aka ‘The Strongest Karate'! A documentary focusing on the very first Kyokushin Karate world open tournament, it is an epically cool time capsule of the 1970's martial arts scene! In a true display of courage, grit, and determination, we see fighters from all over the world put it all on the line for a chance at glory! The insane abilities and fighting prowess of the Karateka involved show just how far ahead of their time they were in terms of full-contact fighting application! Listen in as we break down what we like about this documentary, how well executed it is, and why it is definitely one of the best comfort films out there! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We're finally back! This time around, we are sharing our experience at the New Beverly Cinema's most recent Kung Fu screening, a double dose of Cynthia Khan in ‘Queen's High' and ‘Angel on Fire'! Listen in as we break down these two VASTLY different films, one which we LOVED, and another which took away 90 minutes from our life that we will never get back! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! We're finally back on track, so keep an eye out for another episode coming soon! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We are back with our New Year special! Listen in as we recap our awesome 2024, go over our favorite experiences and films of the year, and do an epic gift exchange! Thank you to all of our special guests and cohosts this year, including Max Huang, Topher Mowry, and Randel Davis! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! We've got a lot of big things coming in 2025 so keep an eye out! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, Gavin and I return with one of our fan favorite episode formats- Kung Fu Comfort Films Vol. 7! Listen in as we break down these favorites we come back to time and time again. Whether we need a film to sit down and watch, some background noise, or a little form of escapism, these movies always deliver an extra dose of nostalgia and entertainment! You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We have a first this week! With Gavin still out of town on his workcation, we have our first ever returning guest! Joining me this week is Wing Chun instructor, podcaster, and everyone's favorite neighborhood bus driver, Randel Davis! Together, we are breaking down a suggestion of his, the moving, coming of age, martial arts anime epic- ‘The Boy and the Beast'. Listen in as we break down this magnificent picture, what we liked so much about it, and why you should watch it, even if you aren't a typical anime fan! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, while Gavin is out of town, I've got a very special guest helping me review a pretty epic movie! Joining me in the virtual studio is martial artist, podcaster, and Wing Chun instructor Topher Mowry aka that other Wing Chun guy! And you may be thinking “Ok, so they are going to review a Wing Chun film right?” Well, that would be too predictable! Instead, we are watching a movie about one of the greatest Karate masters of all time- ‘Karate Bullfighter' aka ‘Champion of Death'! Based off of the HIGHLY fictionalized manga about Kyokushin Karate founder Mas Oyama, this Sonny Chiba film features everything we love about the Toei Karate films of the 1970's. Zany, cartoonish villains? Check ✅ Over the top melodrama? Check ✅ Epic Karate training and fight scenes? DOUBLE CHECK ✅✅ Oh, and did I mention he fights a bull? Listen in as we break down what we love so much about this movie and the other works of Sonny Chiba, elements of Karate and what makes it so special, and why you should watch this movie ASAP if you haven't already! You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

2024 has been the year of surprises and films exceeding our expectations in terms of martial arts cinema. First, we had ‘Twilight Warriors: Walled In' which ended up being an INCREDIBLE film that we honestly both went into expecting to be disappointed. Instead, we were treated to one of our favorite martial arts movies of the past decade! Then we had ‘Officer Black Belt', which came out of NOWHERE and gave us one of the most moving and powerful narratives to ever be told in the martial arts film genre! Now, we have another contender for best flick of the year, and this one is going to BLOW YOUR MIND! Hailing from the land down under, and bringing some insane martial arts thunder, is one of the GREATEST straight to video films we've ever witnessed, ‘Life After Fighting'! Directed by, written by, and starring martial arts maestro Bren Foster, this explosive fight fest brings an onslaught of martial arts melees at the highest level, both in terms of choreography and execution, as well as a moving story with characters that you are truly invested in. Throw in an atrociously vicious and vile villain, and strong performances that exceed the expectations of the genre, and everyone can find something to enjoy in this truly compelling picture. Oh, and did we mention that there is a BALLS-TO-THE-WALL 25 MINUTE LONG FINALE?! Streaming stateside on Tubi TV, you must do yourself a favor and watch this one as soon as possible! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

Hot off the press, we JUST recorded this episode about an hour ago! We apologize about the delay this week, but we have a great episode where we talk about the KILLER double Chuck Norris screening at the New Beverly Cinema last week! We were privileged enough to get to see what can be considered Chuck's two “horror” films in his vast library of work, ‘Silent Rage' and ‘Hero and the Terror'. Listen in as we talk about this unique double feature, my epic weekend leading up to, and some of the fun activities that we participated in! Be warned- we go off on a lot of tangents this episode, ranging from: food, training, light beer, Hot Yoga, and so much more! You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week we are reviewing one of our FAVORITE Karate films of all time, the aptly titled Karate Girl! Starring real-life Shōrin-ryū black belt Rina Takeda, as well as featuring an appearance by Karate master Naka Tatsuya, this low-budget martial arts pic delivers high octane results! With a plethora of fantastic action scenes, manga inspired characters, and a story that embodies that true Bushido spirit, this film has a little bit of something for everyone! On top of all that, it has what very well may be the GREATEST Karate fight scene of all time! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, we are talking about our return to the New Beverly Cinema for a double dose of Hong Kong action madness! Starting off with a Chow Yun-Fat heroic bloodshed entry with ‘City War', and followed by an action adventure epic in ‘The Legend of Wisely', listen in as we break down these two super fun films and all of our usual activities that go along with these bad ass screenings at Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week we are reviewing the biggest surprise of the year so far, a movie that left us completely blown away… ‘Officer Black Belt'! One of the most poignant, powerful, and triumphant tales of heroism in recent memory, this newly released Korean Netflix action picture is so much more than what it appears on the surface. Tackling an absolutely horrifying and unfortunately all too real subject matter, director Kim Ju-hwan manages to create a narrative of hope, compassion, and optimism in a world that is growing ever dark and full of despair. Filled with enjoyable and purely good-natured characters, going up against some of the evilest monsters in human form, this story is a reminder to us that there are courageous individuals left in the world, sacrificing everything to make it a better place for the rest of us. Kim Woo-Bin's superb portrayal of our protagonist Lee Jung-Do is nothing short of amazing, and one of the most likable martial arts characters of all time. Pitted against the utterly heinous Kang Ki-Jung (magnificently portrayed by Lee Hyun-geol), Jung-Do must overcome insurmountable odds to bring to justice an atrocious crime ring hell-bent on hurting the vulnerable and innocent of our society. Combining perhaps the most moving and compelling story to ever be told through the lens of the martial arts film genre, with top-of-the-line action scenes as well, ‘Officer Black Belt' has a little bit of something for everyone. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be on the edge of your seat in fear, but ultimately you will leave knowing that at the end of the day, there are still real heroes out there, and the power of the human spirit can always prevail if you believe in it enough! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

His sword made him a hero. His courage made him a legend. When it comes to Zatoichi... justice is blind! This week Gavin and I are coming at you with a super in-depth analysis of Shintaro Katsu's final outing as his iconic blind swordsman character in the visually extravagant ‘Zatoichi: Darkness is His Ally' (1989). The 26th and penultimate film in the long-running series, this would be the last time we see Katsu's classic portrayal of the wandering Yakuza, whose quick draw swordsmanship and prosperous gambling skills could be matched by none. Listen in as we breakdown the most unique entry in the series, directed by Shintaro Katsu himself. With a stunning mise-en-scène and abstract story telling style full of poignant and powerful vignettes, this film stands out from the crowd in the beloved chanbara チャンバラ genre of Japanese cinema. You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week we are discussing the epic good time we had watching the 90's cult classic ‘Surf Ninjas' up on the big screen at Vidiots in Eagle Rock! Filled with fun, friends, and fans galore, this was one of the coolest screenings we have ever been to! With special appearances from cast members Nicolas Cowan and Ernie Reyes Jr., as well as an ultra cool ambiance that only a venue like Vidiots could provide, we were left with a nostalgic sense of awesomeness that can only be summed up in two words… KWANTZU DUDES!!!! Listen in as we break down this fan favorite film, what we love so much about it, and why it is truly an underrated comedic gem. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week we are reviewing the action extravaganza that is.…'Twilight Warriors: Walled in' aka ‘Kowloon Walled City'! A MAJOR surprise for both Gavin and me, this is one of the BEST martial arts action pictures in years! A thrill ride from start to finish, it is a throwback to the classic Hong Kong films of old, both aesthetically and thematically. With incredible action sequences, AMAZING costume and set design, and a phenomenal cast, this movie has a little bit of something for everyone; whether you are a hardcore fan of the genre or new to martial arts cinema as well. Listen in as we discuss what we loved about this film, why we initially had some hesitations going in, and why you should watch it ASAP! And if for no other reason, you should check it out for the extraordinary, fun as hell, scene stealing performance from Philip Ng, who creates one of the most insane and maniacal martial arts villains we have seen since the glory days of Hong Kong cinema! We're calling it right now, best supporting actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards and/or Golden Horse awards! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

The Martial Arts Mania Podcast is BACK! We have finally returned after our summer break hiatus, and we are super excited to share with you everything that has been going on in our busy lives! Listen in as we go over some major life changes, a couple of killer accomplishments, a few hurdles we've encountered along the way, as well as the awesome Bruce Lee double screening we just attended at the New Beverly Cinema! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy! #brucelee #thebigboss #fistoffury #kungfumovies #thenewbeverly #hongkong #martialarts #podcast

It's been a little bit, and we apologize about the delay, but we ARE BACK! Listen in as we discuss one of THE BEST Kung Fu screenings we've been to in a while- the Jimmy Wang Yu double feature at the New Beverly last month! Featured were two BEAUTIFUL 35mm copies of both ‘The One Armed Boxer' and ‘Master of the Flying Guillotine”. Not only that, but we were accompanied by the one any only Peter ‘Sugarfoot' Cunningham, or was we like to call him… Sensei! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, we are discussing one of the coolest, fun, over-the-top, genre melding action/adventure extravaganzas, ‘Big Trouble in Little China'! Not only that, we have a very special guest joining us in this deep dive of the John Carpenter classic, Randel Davis of the ‘Kung Fu Conversations' podcast! Listen in as we nerd out about anything and everything martial arts, 80's action, and Kung Fu movie related. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, Gavin and I are breaking down our AMAZING Bruceploitation weekend in Los Angeles. It might have been our second time viewing the brilliant documentary ‘Enter the Clones of Bruce', but it was our very FIRST time meeting the larger than life Kung Fu superstar, and one of the “Big Three” clones himself- Bruce Le! Listen in as we go over our action packed weekend, which included: workouts, Hong Kong themed escape rooms, beach trips, hanging with friends such as Michael Worth and Frank Djeng, and the MOST INCREDIBLE POPCORN WE'VE EVER HAD courtesy of the Alamo Drafthouse Theater!!! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, we're breaking away from the usual format of reviewing martial arts films and doing our very first Karate Combat recap/breakdown! Joining me for this inaugural episode is coach, trainer and multi-time kickboxing and MMA champion German ‘The Bat' Baltazar! Listen in as we breakdown Karate Combat 45: Dubai- Karate vs. Muay Thai! This was an especially fun card with the contrast in styles, the special ruleset, and some of the VERY big names they had fighting on it. We give our honest critique of what we liked and didn't like about the event, what appeals to us about Karate Combat, and what we think they still need to work on. You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Also, don't forget to follow German's AMAZING design company- the Union Designs!Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

New episode alert! This week we are tackling the brand new, pulse-pounding epic- Monkey Man! A cinematic experience like nothing you've ever seen, this non-stop thrill ride will keep your eyes glued to the screen from start to finish! Ultimately captivating from the beginning, but consciously aware of narrative structure, first time Director/ writer/star Dev Patel brilliantly creates a slow burning yet highly kinetic, viscerally mesmerizing, in your face revenge thriller! Deeply engrained in multiple cultures, genres, and cinematic modes- Patel proves himself as an all around powerhouse with one of the best directorial debuts in recent memory, and like the character he so passionately portrays, has been reborn as the ultimate leading man! Listen is as we break down the brilliance of this film, why we feel it is so good, and why you should immediately stop what you are doing and go see it in theaters! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week, Gavin and I are tackling the very difficult task of reviewing the new action picture Road House (2024), the remake of the beloved 80's fight-fest classic. Reviews have been mixed to say the least, with some people loving it, and others absolutely despising it. We try to give as fair of a review as possible, sharing what we loved about it (*hint hint* a certain unhinged and absolutely maniacal Irish henchman) and what we were EXTREMELY annoyed by (*hint hint* a WEAK script and even WEAKER CG). Listen in as we dissect what the film got right, what it got terribly wrong, and what we can hope for if they do any sort of follow up. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week Gavin and I discuss our past epic weekend in which we went to the double Jackie Chan screening at the New Beverly Cinema! Featuring two of Jackie's classic films, ‘Drunken Master II' and 'Mr. Nice Guy', it was most definitely a screening to remember! Listen in as we discuss what we liked about the screenings (and surprisingly disliked), our time hanging out/training with our sensei Peter ‘Sugarfoot' Cunningham, and all the delicious food we chowed down on! You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We've been crunched for time and super busy with other projects recently, but we managed to squeeze in a recording yesterday, so here you go! Kung Fu Comfort Films vol. 6! Listen in as we discuss some of our favorite films we go back to again and again. Whether it's for background noise, or a proper sit down viewing, these films entertain us no matter how many times we watch them and have a nostalgia factor level of

We are back with a VERY special episode for you guys. This week, we have the honor and privilege of interviewing the multi-talented Max Huang! Lifelong martial artist, musician, actor, stuntman, choreographer, director, and member of the Jackie Chan stunt team (just to name a few of his accomplishments) you probably remember him best from his FATALLY awesome, scene stealing role as Kung Lao in 2021's Mortal Kombat! A true fan of the Kung fu movie genre, we had a blast talking anything and everything Kung fu movie related. Listen in as we discuss a whole series of topics, ranging from his time growing up in Germany, working on the Jackie Chan stunt team, his future hopes and desires for martial arts cinema, and even our time spent training at the Shanghai Sports University together! Max's positive energy and optimistic output are absolutely contagious, and both Gavin and I were truly inspired and pumped up after this recording! You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week we are back with everyone's favorite Kung fu superstar, Jackie Chan, and one of his MANY Chinese New Year releases- City Hunter! An absolutely wacky, over the top, action extravaganza, filled wall-to-wall with Wong Jing's trademark irreverent humor, this manga adaptation is one of the most unique entries in Jackie's long and storied filmography. With a great supporting cast, including the always talented Gary Daniels and one of the best “gwei-lo” baddies of all time, Richard Norton, there is enough solid martial arts action mixed in with the slapstick scenarios to keep the hardcore fight fans engaged throughout it all! Listen in as we break down why we like this movie so much, how different it is from the rest of Jackie's body of work, and why you should check it out asap! Also, just as a heads up, we recorded this about 2 weeks ago or so now as we decided to pivot and release an episode on Action Jackson instead last week in honor of Carl Weathers

We're back! This time around, we are breaking some of our own rules and discussing an 80's classic that although is not a “martial arts film” has plenty of fight scenes in it, as well as a couple of martial arts sequences as well. In honor of the passing of the legendary Carl Weathers, we are discussing his epically fun starring vehicle from 1988, ‘Action Jackson'. The epitome of why 80's cinema was such a good time, ‘Action Jackson' is wall to wall filled with excitement; ranging from fist fights, explosions, musical sequences, chase scenes, and so much more, you can't help but have a good time when taking in this over the top action extravaganza. Listen in as we discuss why we love this movie so much, why Carl Weathers holds such a special place in both of our hearts, as well as BOTH of our experiences meeting the legend himself. Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for your continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We're FINALLY back, and BADder than ever, with BAD CITY! Maybe our favorite martial arts film of 2023 (and definitely the most underrated), this tale of Yakuza vs cops has all the makings of an action classic. Gritty, grizzled detectives who punch and kick their way to justice? Check✅ Evil crime lords who savagely kill anyone in their way? Check✅ Bone crunching fight scenes including a 15+ minute martial arts finale!? DOUBLE CHECK!!!! ✅✅Listen in as we share why we enjoyed this movie so much, why the martial arts sequences are so good, and why star Hitoshi Ozawa needs to be in more movies!!! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! You can currently view Bad City on Prime, Tubi and the Hi-yah app! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We've been absent extra long again, but we are back with a super fun episode where we review the over the top, zany, hard-hitting, Japanese action extravaganza- Bushido Man! Following wandering warrior Toramaru, a student of “the Cosmic Way”, on his journey to become the best fighter in Japan, this film is a showcase for some PHENOMENAL martial arts sequences, utilizing a multitude of different styles, weapons, as well as an eclectic cast of eccentric characters all too willing to throw down with our protagonist. Listen in as we break down the different fight scenes, why we enjoy this movie so much, and why you should give this one a go! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

Surprise episode drop! That's right, we are a few days ahead of schedule, because we have a special Bruce Lee themed episode in honor of the Little Dragon's birthday! This time around, we are examining his revenge driven Kung Fu masterpiece- ‘Fist of Fury'! His second feature film after his return to Hong Kong in the early 70's, ‘Fist of Fury' focuses on the fictional character of Chen Zhen, as he sets out to avenge the death of his master, the real life folk-hero Huo Yuanjia, in the international settlement of early 20th century Shanghai. Filled with ferocious Kung Fu battles, masterful melodrama, and stunning choreography, ‘Fist of Fury' holds up as one of Bruce Lee's most consistent pieces of work, which is often imitated, but never duplicated. Listen in as we discuss what makes this picture so special, why it stands out amongst Bruce Lee's films, and why it is still one of the greatest martial arts pictures of all time! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

It's been a long time in the making, but this week we finally drop our long awaited ‘Top 5 Martial Arts Movie Soundtracks' episode!This was a fun, but EXTREMELY difficult episode for us as there are SO MANY great films that could have made this list. To narrow it down to 5 was no easy task, and not to brag, but I think we did a pretty darn good job! Listen in as we discuss our entries, why we thought these films were worthy, and why some others ALMOST made the lists, but just couldn't quite make the cut! You can listen to The Martial Arts Mania Podcast on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Podcasts! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

It's been a bit crazy for us here at the Martial Arts Mania Podcast, and we apologize about missing last week, but we're back with another great episode! We are doing our 5th edition of our fan favorite “Kung Fu Comfort Films”! Listen in as we discuss some of our absolute favorite martial arts films that we go back to again and again, whether we want to sit down and enjoy a stellar film, or just have a bit of nostalgic escapism! We've got entries from Sammo Hung, Donnie Yen, Sonny Chiba, and many more! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

It's that time of year again, and therefore we are proud to present our 2nd annual spooky Halloween themed martial arts cinema episode! This year, we are talking about the crème de la crème of horror infused martial arts cinema, and one of the greatest comic book movies to ever grace the silver screen… BLADE! Starring the one and only Wesley Snipes, and featuring the likes of Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson and N'Bushe Wright, this tale of the half-human/half-vampire superhero is not only a slick as hell, highly kinetic, pulse-pounding action thrill ride, but also the catalyst for what would eventually become the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chock-full of stellar martial arts sequences, vampire carnage, and enough frights to keep you on the edge of your seat for its entire 120 minute runtime, ‘Blade' still stands out as one of the most entertaining and stylistic horror martial arts films of all time! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

In honor of the passing of martial arts movie legend Mang Hoi- director, stuntman, actor, and fight choreographer extraordinaire, we are taking a look at his one true solo starring role, ‘The Buddha Assassinator'! Aside from having one of the coolest movie titles of all time, this film is also an extremely solid entry in the vast library of classic Kung Fu cinema. With a great supporting role from genre favorite Chin Yuen San, and the wonderfully villainous Hwang Jang Lee as our main antagonist, this film is chalk full of incredible training sequences, comical interludes, and some breathtaking martial arts battles! Not only should any fan of the genre who wants a little bit of Kung Fu escapism should check this one out, but it is also a great introductory film to anyone who isn't as well versed in Hong Kong Kung Fu cinema! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

We are a bit late this week, but NEW EPISODE ALERT! This time around, we are reviewing the balls to the wall, absolutely insane, fanatical stunt showcase that is ‘Bangkok Knockout'. Helmed by Thai action cinema legend Panna Rittikrai, and featuring his team of stunt performers, this is one of the hardest hitting action spectacles of the last 15 years. Listen in as we break down the movie, what we liked about it, and why you should go check it out right now! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

Bruce Lee- the Dragon. Considered by many to be the greatest martial artist of all time… one of the most iconic individuals of the 20th century… one in a million, that could never be replicated… but that doesn't mean people weren't going to try! That's right, this week we are reviewing the INCREDIBLE documentary ‘Enter the Clones of Bruce', which explores the wonderfully weird, wacky and absolutely BONKERS world of Bruceploitation! Featuring Bruce LE, Bruce LI, DRAGON Lee, Bruce LEung, Bruce LO, and many more, this brilliant examination of one of the most unique and fascinating sub genres of cinema will leave you highly entertained, and eager for more! With stellar direction from David Gregory, as well as some solid production work from our friends Michael Worth and Frank Djeng, ‘Enter the Clones of Bruce' is some of the most fun you'll have this year at the movies! Listen in as we talk about the documentary, our love for Bruceploitation, and one of my quickest trips I've ever made to LA for this awesome screening courtesy of Beyondfest! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

It's the ancient and the contemporary. The traditional and the modern. The ultimate representation of good vs. evil. When two warriors from the Ming dynasty are catapulted 300 years into the future- one a righteous man of honor, the other a sociopathic predator- they must navigate a present day Hong Kong, while simultaneously trying to find their way back to the past. With a stoic leading man performance from genre favorite Yuen Biao, and an absolutely terrifying villainous turn from Yuen Wah, ‘The Iceman Cometh' is an entertaining, genre-melding entry from the golden era of 1980's Hong Kong cinema. With hints of classic martial arts cinema, as well as a Neo-noir landscape reminiscent of techno thrillers of the era, this unique picture manages to overcome some of its narrative shortcomings through its stunning visuals. Throw in a great supporting performance from the always lovely Maggie Cheung, and ‘The Iceman Cometh' delivers on all fronts! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week in celebration of our SUPER 100th episode, we are taking a look at one of the greatest action movie sequels of all time, ‘Supercop'! The third entry in Jackie Chan's Police Story series, this time around, we see Hong Kong police detective Chan Ka-Kui (Kevin Chan) go undercover to infiltrate a notorious drug lord's operation, and bring his deadly empire to a halt! Starting off in mainland China, and bouncing from Hong Kong to Thailand to Malaysia, this international adventure is chock-full of amazing fight scenes, crazy explosions, and some of the most insane stunt work ever captured on film. Oh, and did I mention it co-stars the one and only Michelle Yeoh? She not only holds her own against the action maestro Jackie, but actually matches him beat for beat in both the fight scenes AND the stunt work. If prison breaks, gun battles, helicopter-hanging aerial acrobatics, and motorcycles jumping on to moving trains sound like a good time to you, then you DEFINITELY need to check this one out! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, the YouTube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

A tough as nails Hong Kong detective. A hard-boiled cop from Japan. And 4 blood brothers driven by a vow of vengeance. When their paths cross, the fists, bullets, and blood bring a reign of terror across Hong Kong! This week we are discussing the high-octane, absolutely brilliant, Hong Kong action classic, ‘Royal Warriors'. Starring the one and only Michelle Yeoh, and featuring the equally as talented Hiroyuki Sanada, this 1986 production features some of the hardest hitting, most ferocious fight scenes of any Hong Kong film EVER, as well as a shoot em up scene that would make John Woo proud. If you'd prefer to see our lovely faces, our Youtube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

This week Gavin and I are taking a look at the Korean action thriller ‘The Roundup' starring the ultimate macho man of cinema himself, Ma Dong-Seok! Portraying a tough as nails cop with devastating power in his fists, he'll stop at nothing to get the job done, and make sure the bad guys are brought to Justice! Punching, kicking, and Judo throwing his way through both Vietnam and South Korea, Detective Ma Seok-Do is a human freight train on a collision course with any criminal that stands in his way! With some insanely powerful fisticuffs, vicious knife fights, and brutal takedowns, this one will keep you entertained from start to finish, and have you cheering out loud as Detective Ma delivers his own unique brand of justice! If you prefer to see our lovely faces, our Youtube video for the episode will be out Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

Hey everyone! Guess what?! Not only do we have a new episode out where we talk about a kick-ass action movie from 1980's Japan, but it is also our first episode WITH VIDEO! That's right, we are finally dipping our toes into the Youtube waters, so keep an eye out on either Thursday or Friday if you want to watch Gavin and I be totally confused and awkward in front of the camera! In the meantime, this week we are discussing the Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba martial arts adventure film ‘Shogun's Ninja'! An epically good time with a crazy Jazz soundtrack, spider Ninjas, and manga inspired Jiujitsu masters, this one is a hell of a lot of fun for anyone looking for a bit of escapism. If you prefer video, find us on Youtube starting this Friday! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

Van Damme, Mickey Rourke, Rob Shneider, and…. Dennis Rodman?! Need we say more?! That's right, this week Gavin and I are sharing our epic experience at the New Beverly in which we were treated to a double dose of Tsui Hark directed JCVD action with both ‘Knock Off' and ‘Double Team'. Listen in as we break down these two absolutely insane, bonkers, and highly entertaining 90's action flicks, which somehow manage to get better with age, and are even crazier on the big screen! We had a great time recording this episode, and had an even better time watching these movies with a packed theater of genre loving fans! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

A coming of age drama about four adopted brothers, and the surrogate father who raised them as his own. Their fear of rejection from society, and their father's haunted past, keep them hidden away from the outside world, though they long for a life of normalcy. With a passion for culture, the arts, and Italian cuisine, they hope to one day be able to experience the joys life has to offer, while being accepted by the citizens of New York City…. oh, and they just happen to be KICK-ASS NINJAS! That's right, this week Gavin and I are reviewing one of greatest comic book/martial arts/independent films ever made, the ORIGINAL ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'! Directed by music video maestro Steve Barron and backed by martial arts production royalty in the form of Golden Harvest, this totally tubular 90's ninja flick is not your typical, franchise based film adaptation. Witty and lighthearted, yet equally as dark and gritty, this slickly shot and dynamically executed martial arts extravaganza is so much more than just a family friendly feature. With brilliant camerawork, editing, lighting, and a kick-ass score to boot, TMNT ascends genre cliches, and elevates itself to the level of a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster! Groundbreaking costumes and effects help accentuate the mesmerizing, visceral action of the turtles, whether they are battling Shredder and the Foot Clan, or dancing and chowing down on some delicious pizza! With how much of a personal influence the Ninja Turtles and this film in particular have had on us, this episode was an absolute blast to record! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy! Cowabunga dudes!

New episode alert! This week Gavin and I are attempting the difficult task of reviewing the new Netflix buddy action film, ‘Hidden Strike', starring the one and only Jackie Chan and wrestling superstar turned leading man John Cena. Why is it difficult you ask? Did we like the film? Did we hate the film? Well…. we have mixed feelings to say the least. If you want to know how we TRULY feel about the film, you will have to listen to find out! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!

When corruption runs rampant, and the powerful exploit the weak, only a hero can defend the people, and bring the unjust to their knees. A Robin Hood of the east must team up with a Chinese folk hero in order to bring down a powerful government official with a deadly Buddha palm! Death-dealing nuns, killer Shaolin monks, and an army of soldiers can't stop the righteous efforts of the one and only… IRON MONKEY! Listen in as we discuss the 1993 “wire-fu” classic, ‘Iron Monkey', directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping and produced by visionary filmmaker Tsui Hark. Included in this over the top martial arts extravaganza is a diverse and eclectic cast, led by superstar Donnie Yen, genre favorite Yu Rongguang, and… a female Wong Fei Hung?! Add to that some absolutely INSANE fight scenes, and this film is perfect for die-hard martial arts film aficionados, or those interested in dipping their toes into the world of Kung Fu cinema for the first time! Don't forget to subscribe, download, like, and share with your friends! Thanks again for the continued support and we hope you enjoy!