Masters Of The Fungk!
929433
Slave has done it again! They've created yet another funk classic. The Jam Patrol doesn't disappoint on this funky 1996 release. Slave has never failed to amaze me and this CD is no exception. It is a re-recording of some of Slave's most Stellar Jams. It includes Killer Remakes of their classic hits like "Slide","Thrill Me", "Just a Touch of Love","Watching You","How Is This Love 2 U",and "Juicy-O". On "U Take My Breath Away",Mark "Drac" Hicks injects a Razor-Sharp Guitar Solo and Mark Adams offers a Slap-Style Bass Riff. The Remake of "Slide" proves that Slave hasn't lost their  magic touch- they still sound as good as they did 20 years ago; They still know how to JAM! With Bass so Deep and Guitar so Dangerous, there ought to be a warning label on this CD that says: High Levels of Funkativity! "Barbara Jean Blvd." showcases a bass line by Mark Adams that Slides & Glides the whole way through. Whereas, the new versions of "Watching You" & "Just a Touch of Love" will take U Back 2 Funk Heaven and leave you feeling hypnotized by the Groove 1 more time. The re-working of "I Like Your Style" is also well-done, Keith Nash has perfect vocal delivery. And Danny Webster doesn't get Enuff Respect & Recognition as a vocal stylist. He had a Real Smooth & Sultry Texture to his voice. In my opinion, he's just as talented as Steve Arrington was and more importantly,he stuck with Slave 2 the End. Danny's especially good on "Slide", "Just a Touch of Love" and on the seductive single "Thrill Me"-Danny's voice is Extremely Sexy on that Track! Masters Of The Fungk also contains the Slamming Single-"Funky Like a Lunatic" and once again Slave brings the Funk in Full Force. Basically, everything on this disc is SMOKIN' From Beginning To End. Slave successfully attempts to Update their classic tracks with a fresh,new twist while at the same time sticking 2 the sound of the original recordings. In other words, Slave breathes new life into these Funk Favorites without tarnishing the original Grooves. U Gotta hear this album & it'll speak 4 itself! This CD is better than anything on the market today. Too Bad Slave doesn't make music & record albums anymore,cuz what they had and STILL have is Something Special. MESSAGE TO MARK ADAMS: U and the Guyz from SLAVE should REALLY consider reuniting-even temporarily to create more great music together and release a CD of new material- 'Cuz your music surpasses everything out there now. And 1 more thing-Mark,you are a musical genius on Bass and So Talented. NOBODY can play the BASS the way you can cuz no one can do it better! How did you ever learn to play so good? You're the Best Bassist In Funk and Beyond! Besides,we NEED to Bring the Funk Back and SLAVE  is just the band to do it! Slave could really teach those young kids what REAL MUSIC is all about. Talented musicians playing their instruments is a concept,that unfortunately,is lacking in the current music scene. What ever happened to that Era? Where has THE FUNK GONE?? There aren't any bands out like Slave these days. Then again,there probably never will be cuz there's only 1 SLAVE! Slave were and still remain the original Masters Of The Fungk! Everything they touched turned to gold;Every Song,Every Album they ever made was a Musical Masterpiece and a Funk Classic. By the way, Mark Adams still reigns supreme on bass cuz he hasn't lost that raw energy & talent. This CD is very hard to find,very rare,but if you're a true Slave Fan & devoted to the Jam Band-you should really try to buy this CD. It's worth the time & effort. So get your copy today!
4322445
I won't go on and on about how wonderful a show King of the Hill is.  If you've seen it, you know.  I just love Fox Sunday evenings, with KOTH and Simpsons back to back!  (Malcolm in the Middle is good too, but I'll miss Futurama!)  Anyway, I was really pleased with this set because not only do I get all the hysterical shows from the first season, but the extras are great too.
Each episode has some short deleted scenes, which are fun to watch.  It's interesting to see the scenes and think about how the tone of a scene would have changed completely if these little bits had been left in.  Also, the commentaries are well above average.  There's other fun stuff, too, like a Barenaked Ladies video.  And the packaging is really attractive too!  Each disc comes in it's own little case, and the three cases fit inside the slip cover...I like this better than the usual "fold-out" style of box sets, like the Simpsons sets.
So if you're a fan of the show, the bonus materials alone are nearly worth the price.  Truly one of my favorite boxed sets!!  BUY IT!!!
4005016
As with all of master Mantak Chia's work: top notch!
The only detracting thing is the fact that English is not his native language.
963553
What a hoot!!!!  If course learning the game takes time, but it's great fun.  Love, of course, the music.  I am happy to see some songs on there you don't hear all of the time.  So glad Smooth Criminal is there and has different levels.  Well done.
1134979
Funny. Well illustrated. Lots of insight. Two masters at their best!
4950099
After reading "Mastering Wing Chun" by Grandmaster Sam Kwok I was simply in awe and most impressed: I've been studying Wing Chun Kung Fu since 1981 (and started teaching private students in 1986), and been privileged to meet the foremost Wing Chun masters and Grandmasters alive, learn from them and practise Chi Sao with them. My library of Wing Chun and other martial arts books is quite extensive...this book and DVD series is an absolute MUST have, read and watch for any Wing Chun practitioner - whether at beginners or masters level - or anyone seriously interested in self-defense and martial arts. Sam Kwok's lifelong and total dedication to the original Ip Man Wing Chun Kung Fu, his absolute expertise, his fierce fighting spirit, and his amazing generosity and kindness shines throughout its pages...this book will be known as 'The Bible of Wing Chun Kung Fu'!
Arne Klingenberg, author of The-Happy-Side.com
3962741
This is by far the best MST3K 3-pack yet. I believe it was also one of the first. Manos is my favorite episode of all time. It's pretty tough to find something that makes me laugh as much as that. Of course, Poopie comes darn  close. Fans of the show will love the loads of outtakes. I know I did.  Gunslinger is a fairly good episode with plenty of laughs. Well worth the  price!
3617187
After the acclaimed success of the first three volumes in the Karate Masters series, the author proudly presents "Karate Masters 4", with a new repertoire of historical figures, such as Yutaka Yaguchi, Kunio Murayama, Hiroyoshi Okazaki, Hiroyashu Fujishima, Shoji Nishimura,Takeshi Uchiage, amongst other world-recognized masters.

In this fourth volume, new interviews with the world's top Karate masters have been gathered to present an integrated and complete view of the empty-handed art of fighting, philosophy, and self-defense.

Containing information that has not appeared anywhere else, the interviews contain intriguing thoughts, fascinating personal details, hidden history, and revealing philosophies as each master reveals his true love for the art and a deep understanding of every facet associated with the practice and spirit of the Japanese art of Karate-do as a way of life. It's a detailed reference work, and a "must have" addition to your personal library.
2483505
The Monkey style kung fu in this film is amazing. The grace meets silliness of it makes me think of Fist of The Drunken Master. Like many kungfu films, a master trains a young pupil in a style of Kung Fu, the pupil then masters it after the tough training regimes and fights the corrupt in the village. I'd highly recommend it to serious kungfu flick fans.
3233199
Thom Harinck. Godfather of Muay Thai Kickboxing in the West by Julio Punch

This book informs us in a most stimulating and informative manner about the martial arts phenomenon Thom Harinck and the many champions he has trained. It portrays a man with a passion for the martial arts and all that is related to them. That passion has led to the development of a highly specific style Chakuriki (for Duch readers Ontleende kracht). This style has been shaped by Harinck through taking elements from diverse martial arts - including judo, karate, boxing, savate and not least Muay Thai - and combining them. The discipline, the tough training methods and the mutual respect are further typical of the Chakuriki style. Thanks to the charismatic personality of Harinck the Chakuriki style has led former students to adopt it as a lifestyle which has allowed them to distinguish themselves in society.

The now 71 years old Harinck has undoubtedly earned his spurs in Muay Thai kickboxing. The effectiveness of his training methods has resulted in a large number of champions, both male and female, whom he has trained in his forty-year career as coach and mentor. The book`s author has done his background research well which has resulted in rich portraits of the fighters and matches. This leads to a varied insight into the personalities of those who practice Muay Thai and other styles of kickboxing. Some are modest and withdrawn youngsters but who are transformed in the ring into real gladiators while some can end up in a criminal environment. Most turn out well  in some cases aided by Harinck and his positive influence over his young disciples  but others have been less successful in finding a wholesome career, to put it mildly. The dividing line between taking the criminal path or enjoying a successful career in sport or business can be narrow and this is a recognizable picture for police forces in many western countries. That it is why it is important to learn in depth about this subculture in order to be alert to any signals of degeneration within it (writing as a former police officer with knowledge of this issue).

What in any case is perfectly clear is that Thom Harinck as the founding father of the martial arts in the Netherlands has had a colourful life during which he`s experienced diverse personal dramas. He is an interesting individual who has meant a great deal in the world of kickboxing in the Netherlands and elsewhere. What we now see during matches on the various commercial television channels, for example, would not have been possible without his dedicated involvement in the sport. This book by Julio Punch provides an insightful history of the rise of the martial arts in the West which is full of rich portraits of matches and fighters and which strongly conveys that next to physical prowess a sound mental attitude is crucial as a bedrock for a healthily balanced life.
1575464
Mertropole orkest does not disappoint....whether master Buckley or master Mendoza is at the Con....I love this orchesrra!
1886067
I hold a black belt in Goju Ryu and have studied martial arts for a few decades now.  I own a great number of instructional DVDs about various martial arts.  This DVD on Sil Nim Tao by Benny Meng is one of the best I've come across (as are the next two in the series covering the next two forms in the Wing Chun system)!

It has the essentials, good clear filming of the form, well lit, and professionally done. Benny Meng obviously has the physical skills to do what he's doing.

But what makes this video stand out from many others is the quality of the verbal instruction that accompanies the demonstration of the form and the techniques that are shown.  Benny Meng spends a lot of time explaining exactly what the point of each movement of the form is and its relevance within the philosophy of the Wing Chun system.

Many other instructional DVDs on martial arts will just show you the form or some techniques, and leave you to figure out what it means or how it fits within the system, or at best they will give you a very superficial explanation.  But this DVD by Benny Meng is a step above many others because of the quality and thoroughness of the accompanying verbal instruction.

Excellent!
3486616
What a treat!  This should have been collected years ago.  The master is at his peak, and these gentlemen have captured the essence of his talent.  Also, the cover is fantastic!  The picture here does not do it justice.
2590756
Chuang Tzu, rightly called "Genius of the Absurd" is unquestionably the father of a new type of a philosophy and satire united in a complementary union. Unknown to the West until the nineteen century
he must be regarded, in part, as an anscient predesessor of our modern western philosophico-satyrical literature represented by
De Coster's "Eulenspiegl", Grimmelshausen's" Simplicius Simplicissimus" and Hasek's "The good soldier Schwejk".
I highly recommend Quang Tzu: Genius  of the Absurd, the complete writigs of Quang Tzu the Taoist to every "thinking"reader.

  Rudy Krejci, Alaskan philosopher
3691854
I knew it couldn't top the first complete master works.....but it still rules! The 'D' are hilarious and talented. A couple of pros. If you still have not checked them out, do so, NOW! OR ELSE.......hehehehehe
4566940
i personally think this is one of the best kung fu flix there ever was! realize when saying that though everyone has particular interest/likes/dislikes ect.. BUT EVERY actor in this film was Very skilled in martial arts and most of the boughts were hard to tell between choreographed and the real thing at times....
  The tie-in to Wu Dang (Wu Tang) was relative and accurate as well and just an overall enjoyable film to watch more than once. Personally I think martial arts fans wouldnt be dissapointed in adding this one to their venue at all. Zhao Chang Jun is/was truly and incredible artist of whom I hope to find more movies of as well.
 Doc :)
4187420
Geez, the way these martial arts films would have it, it's hell each time on whoever tries to get accepted into the Shaolin temple. But let's back up a bit. EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER (or INVINCIBLE POLE FIGHTER) - a tale of martial arts and betrayal and the exacting of bloody vengeance - is an old school must-see if you're a fan of the wuxia pian genre. It showcases the talents of luminaries such as Gordon Liu, Kara Hui, Alexander Fu Sheng, and iconic director Liu Chia Liang (who, as per norm, nabs a juicy cameo for himself). Note that Liu Chia Liang's trademark silly humor is absent on this screen, the dark, brooding tone being that prevalent.

The plot? When the seven spear-wielding Yang brothers and their father march onto The Battle of Jinsha, they fall victim to a calculated ambush by the jealous General Pan Mei. The Yangs are slaughtered but for the fifth and sixth brothers, except that the sixth brother is promptly rendered brain-addled by what he'd endured. Which leaves the 5th brother, seething in his need for vengeance, and this p! ssed off fifth brother is played by the awesome Gordon Liu.

Back home, what remains of the now disgraced Yang family - basically, the womenfolk and the demented 6th brother (yep, crazy had come to the Yang household) - is planning to testify against General Pan Mei in front of the Emperor, but not if Pan Mei has anything to say about it.

Meanwhile, Fifth Brother makes his way to an isolated Shaolin temple, a place in which he thinks he can bide his time and be patient and revenge is a dish best served cold and whatnot. He informs the monks that he also wants to become a monk, but no one buys his fake sincerity. It finally falls on the angry 5th Brother to shave his own head and brand those scar dots on his own dome, and this is what we friggin' call resolve. He settles in. He maybe even finds a modicum of peace. We know it won't last.

Director Liu Chia Liang once again applies his inventiveness, and so we get moments like the ones which feature the Yang patriarch's unbelievable death scene, 5th Brother's self-branding, and 5th Brother's defanging of the wooden wolf. For imaginative set pieces, Liu Chia Liang throws in that pyramid of coffins and the bamboo poles of righteousness. It's a given that he'll choreograph a series of high quality fights, very much including 5th Brother's duel with the Abbot and the memorable climactic all-out brawl at the inn (in which the fiendish Tartars - or Mongols - lose a horrifying number of teeth). I like that the wire-work isn't overdone. As a bonus, the lovely Kara Hui impresses once more with her kung fu skills. Gordon Liu, man, what can I say about Gordon Liu? He's got screen presence. He can fight. He can even act. Although, it's not demonstrated here, he can handle comedy as well as the dramatic bits. His work with the pole is tremendous.

1983 and EIGHT DIAGRAM POLE FIGHTER marked a dark time for the Shaw Brothers as the studio's golden boy, Alexander Fu Sheng, suffered a fatal accident early during the shooting of the film. Rumor has it that Fu Sheng had been slated for a larger role, but obviously things had to be switched up, and so Sixth Brother became relegated to staying at home being all deranged. This is also one of Liu Chia Liang's most violent movies, and I can't help but think that Fu Sheng's passing had brought about this bleak mood. I imagine Fu Sheng's death must've cast a hell of a gloomy shadow over cast & crew. And the last thing for me: I'm disappointed that this Dragon Dynasty DVD doesn't offer an audio commentary from Hong Kong action film expert Bey Logan (or any other bonus material, for that matter). What, did Bey Logan finally get a life?

On this DVD, the movie gives you the option of listening to it in either Mandarin or messed-up sounding English. Go with the Mandarin, and instead read the English sub-titles, friend.