Reviews on Parade (to Hiatusville) and the GGTMC

While it was announced solely in the Facebook group -- yet another reason why you should absolutely request to join! -- the blog is currently on hiatus so I can recharge. Life has increasingly gotten in the way, as it often does, and things other than underground fights to the death and punching watermelons require my attention. Hard to believe, I know! That doesn’t mean this space will disappear any time soon, nor does it mean I’ll stop watching these kinds of movies. However, it may mean that ongoing coverage takes on different and less frequent forms than rambling 1200-word critical essays and cartoonish screen-caps of mulleted dudes mean-mugging.

Case in point, here’s what is hopefully the first of several “highlight reel” videos from what I’ve unofficially dubbed the “Burnt Ends” series. This installment is for the 1991 Gary Daniels masterpiece, American Streetfighter, or as it’s known overseas, Samurai Sword Fight in a Funeral Parlor. Please feel free to leave comments on this (positive or negative, as always) here or on YouTube.



PLUS! On the most recent episode of the Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema podcast, I joined Large William and the Samurai to discuss the flaming skeletons and flying chickens of 1984’s Furious, and the proper tuck game and overt racism of 1992’s College Kickboxers. Click here to hear us discuss disproportionate stuntman screams, the futile nature of sex in hot tubs, and 1980s copyright law, among other topics.

To conclude, I just wanted to let the reader-only crowd know what was up. Reviews may be quiet for a little while as I get life sorted out, but they’re not gone. Please consider joining the Facebook group for more regular (and lively) activity and discussion. Be kind to animals and the elderly. Eat more bananas.

Enter the Podcast: Double Impact on The Midnite Ride

As some of you may have figured out, January has been a personally busy but creatively lethargic month for yours truly. Also, REALLY fucking cold. A review of a film starring a certain French-speaking kickboxer is most certainly in the pipeline, but until then, be sure to check out Episode #24 of the Midnite Ride podcast! As luck would have it, Matt-suzaka (Chuck Norris Ate My Baby) and I reviewed Double Impact, which stars an entirely different French-speaking kickboxer. Come for the Van Damme Doublemint performance, stay for the black silk underwear, teal polo shirts, and even Evan Lurie as a bouncer.

Thanks for hanging in there, gang! More good stuff to come in February!

Enter the Podcast: Blood Hands, Elves and the GGTMC

If you follow my exploits through social media, you may already be aware that I recently guested on two podcast episodes under the white leather banner of The Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema. For my final post of 2013, I wanted to describe each in a bit more detail for discriminating post-holiday shoppers with limited time budgets.

Are you a fan of foreign films featuring creatively staged fights with edge weapons, sweaty villains, ruined birthday celebrations, dogs named after iconic action stars of the 1980s, and characters being tied to train tracks? You are? That’s pretty random, but you’ll want to check out Episode 267, where I join Matt-suzaka of the Chuck Norris Ate My Baby blog, along with hosts Large William and The Samurai to discuss the 1985 Shaw Brothers action classic Hong Kong Godfather, and 1990’s Filipino fight film, Blood Hands. You may remember that we reviewed the latter film in this space back in 2011. This episode is a great refresher if you can’t remember what I (or you) thought about the film. I assure you that the conversation we have about it on the podcast contains far more giggles and Razor Ramon references than anything I could have produced with the written word.

Episode 267 of the Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema (right-click, Save Link As)

Does the thought of a movie with bad creature effects, bathtub electrocution, pervy mall Santas, and Grizzly Adams make your tree water boil with anticipation? If so, be sure to check out Episode 22 of the GGtMC’s short-form companion program, the Midnite Ride. Matt-suzaka and I join forces once again to break down 1989’s Elves, a thoughtful last-minute gift to the world of cinema if there ever was one. A big thanks to Matt for sticking it out through some technical goofs to get this puppy recorded! Be sure to pay him a visit at his blog and compliment him on his black silk underwear.

Episode 22 of the Midnite Ride (right click, Save Link As)

A massive thanks to my friends Will and Sammy at the GGtMC for allowing me to participate in the holiday shenanigans this year! Be sure to visit them on the web or subscribe to their fine program on iTunes.

Enter the Podcast: Loren Avedon and the GGtMC

So, I realize it’s been a while. I haven’t left any voicemails about Bolo Yeung throwing his jacket on the floor. I’ve failed to “Like” your awesome Facebook pictures of Don "The Dragon" Wilson in different silk shirts. I haven’t put on a pair of Zubaz pants in what seems like months. I’m not even sure they fit anymore.

But I’m here now, and I’ve got apologetic flowers in one hand and a three-hour podcast in the other. Approximately 33% is dedicated to The King of the Kickboxers, and 66% is comprised of a truly fantastic interview with screen legend Loren Avedon. It’s my way of saying thanks for hanging in there.

I was lucky enough to hook up with Will and Sam from The Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema for Episode 233 and it’s a beast. We do a sprawling review of the aforementioned 1990 Lucas Lowe film, and have a great discussion with its star. If words spelled in all-caps for emphasis still mean something to you, DO NOT MISS this episode.

On the Fist of B-List front, we’ve got all sorts of things in store for the summer. PM Entertainment will be well-represented, the floating virtual reality head of Jalal Merhi is booked for an appearance, and we’ll take another hard look at martial arts actors going Hollywood.

More to come...

See Also: Enter the Interview: Loren Avedon