If you had to have one from each genre...?

[The Dragon]

Basher:
King Boxer-Lo Lieh

Classic Swordplay:
The New One-Armed Swordsman

Shaolin:
36TH Chamber of Shaolin

Tournament:
Master of the Fying Guillotine

Comedy:
Knockabout

Shapes:
Invincible Shaolin

Female Action Film:
Hapkido-Angela Mao

Crime/Drama
Man of Iron

Two Against One Villian:
The Secret Rivals II

Sword/Fantasy:
The Bastard Swordsman I&II

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
All Men Are Brothers

What do you think?

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Very good idea for a thread Dragon. Let me see here...

I'm just gonna have to go off the top of my head, so who knows, I could post a completely different list in the future, but this is what I'm going with right now-



BASHER- Little Superman. I think that's considered a basher, but it feels like they were creating a new kind of style with BRuce Leung, with probably a little inspiration from Bruce Lee. So if that's not considered a basher, I'll go with Kung Fu Massacre.

CLASSIC SWORDPLAY- King of Kings

SHAOLIN- 36th Chamber

TOURNAMENT- MOTFG is the best I can think of right now. It is an amazing and very creative tournament. But just to name something different I will say Return of the Chinese Boxer because of the fight between Jack Long and Phillip Ko, and when Sun Jung Chi pulled out that gun, that's as hard as I have ever laughed in my life. Completely unexpected.

SHAPES- there's like 20 Phillip Ko flicks I could go with here, but for right now I'll say Showdown at the Cottonmill because Chi Kuan Chun is just on another level with his handwork.

COMEDY- The Young Master (English dub 90 minute version)

FEMALE ACTION- The Woman Avenger or Undaunted Wudang. I'm tied on those at the moment.

ENSEMBLE- Shanghai 13

CRIME/DRAMA- Iron Dragon Strikes Back, though I somehow have not seen Man of Iron or Boxer from Shantung

SWORD/FANTASY- The Sword (the one with Adam Cheng), though if this is movies from any year I would go with Sword Stained with Royal Blood with Yuen Biao

CHANG SHAN PERFORMANCE (I consider him his own genre :D)- Seven Steps of Kung Fu

BEST BAD KUNG FU MOVIE- Swordsman with an Umbrella, starring Mr. Gau from Shanghai 13, showing off his awesome paddi cake kung fu style.

BRUCE LEE CLONE- Enter the Fat Dragon

CHOI LEE FAT- New Shaolin Boxers

NINJA- NInja in the Dragons Den or CHinese Super Ninjas

FULL CONTACT KICK- Death Duel of Kung Fu, Wong Tao on Eagle Han

KUNG FU/HORROR- Human Lanterns

GRAPPLING/WRESTLING- Shaolin vs Lama

DRAMATIC ENDING- Killer Constable or The Sword with Wang Yu

SNAKE STYLE- Snake Deadly Act

CHASE SCENE- Code of Honor (1987, but I had to include it)

[Markgway]

These suggestions are just off the top of my head.........

Basher:
The Big Boss (although King Boxer is a better film)

Classic Swordplay:
Secret of the Dirk or The Magnificent Trio

Shaolin:
Eight-Diagram Pole Fighter

Tournament:
Can't think of any GREAT tournament movies off-hand so I'll put King Boxer in here.

Comedy:
My Young Auntie

Shapes:
The Five Venoms

Female Action Film:
Come Drink With Me

Crime/Drama
Police Story (I know it's not old-school, but...)

Two Against One Villian:
The Hot, The Cool, and the Vicious or Knockabout

Sword/Fantasy:
Duel to the Death (not my fave sub-genre)

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
Shaolin Temple

[TibetanWhiteCrane]

Basher:
KING BOXER

Classic Swordplay:
??? I suppose you mean old school wuxia, pre hand to hand combat. But I don't really care much for those. So im going with DEATH DUEL or THE SWORD

Shaolin:
The 36th chamber of shaolin

Tournament:
Master of the flying guillotine

Comedy:
Five superfighters

Shapes:
Magnificent butcher

Female Action Film:
Hapkido

Crime/Drama
????

Two Against One Villian:
Seven steps of kung fu

Sword/Fantasy:
?????

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
Shaolin temple

[Endsang]

Also just from the top of my head. Kinda hard when I can't see my DVDs from where I'm sitting :D

Basher:
THE BOXER FROM SHANTUNG

Classic Swordplay:
DEADLY BREAKING SWORD

Shaolin:
36th CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN

Tournament:
BLOODSPORT

Comedy:
MEALS ON WHEELS

Shapes:
5 SHAOLIN MASTERS

Female Action:
Sorry, but I'm a bit of a chauvinist when it comes to my fu. :p

Crime/drama:
I really can't think of one here.

Two against one villain:
KNOCKABOUT

Three against one villain: XD
PROJECT A

Sword/fantasy:
NEW DRAGON GATE INN

Ensemble:
THE WATER MARGIN

[TibetanWhiteCrane]

No offense to Endsang, but I wouldn't consider 5 Shaolin masters a "shapes" movie as such. But people may disagree with that.

Oh, and it's WHEELS on meals:)

[SamuraiDana]

Can someone help me out here and explain what's meant by "basher" and "shapes"?

Thanks.

[TheManInWhite]

"Kinda hard when I can't see my DVDs from where I'm sitting"

Hey Endsang, you know this off the top of your head :p

Well, here's my list:

Basher:
Delightful Forest

Classic Swordplay:
Magic Blade

Shaolin:
8 Diagram Pole Fighter

Tournament:
Enter the Dragon

Comedy:
The Loot

Shapes:
Snake Deadly Act

Female Action Film:
Woman Avenger

Film that includes a rescue:
Incredible Kung Fu Mission

Searching for jade:
Green Jade Statuette

Film that uses guillotines:
Flying Guillotine II

China vs. Japan:
Heroes of the East

Crime/Drama:
Boxer from Shantung

Two Against One Villain:
Two on the Road (Leung Kar Yan/Kao Fei vs. Wang Lung Wei)

3 or more Against One Villain:
Shaolin Rescuers (Chiang Sheng/Pai Piao/Lo Mang/Kuo Choi vs. Lu Feng)

Weapons:
Masked Avengers

Ninja:
Chinese Super Ninjas

Sword/Fantasy:
Lady Assassin

Ensemble:
Shaolin Temple (SB)

Total package (storyline, acting, fight scenes, weaponry):
Avenging Eagle

[Endsang]

No offense to Endsang, but I wouldn't consider 5 Shaolin masters a "shapes" movie as such. But people may disagree with that.

Suppose I could put it under the Shaolin genre instead, but I still consider it a shapes movie. How about Heroes of the East? Or maybe Shaolin Mantis. That's a keeper.

Oh, and it's WHEELS on meals :)

Pfft, I knew that. I'm just senile.

[The Dragon]

Can someone help me out here and explain what's meant by "basher" and "shapes"?

Thanks.

Hey SamuraiDana, I was told bashers are the old school flicks where styles were not a particular focus, just a lot of Kung Fu fighting, revenge for the master, my school vs your school, swingy-armed, rough edged, like King Boxer, fists of Vengeance, The Bloody Fists, and so forth.
Shapes are films with a central dedication to profound styles and featured in just about every battle, sometimes with the fighters calling out their forms; "...try my eagle fist!" or "The butterfly palm", as examples. Also the styles are often featured in titles...

Buddhist Fist
Drunken Fist Boxing
Choi Lay Fut
Eagles Claw
Snake Fist
Monkey Fist
Shaolin
Wu Tang

...and so on. Feel me?

[Morgoth Bauglir]

I know what shapes means to me, but I always find it extremely hard to explain. I think shapes really started sometime between 75-76. Forms are certainly a part of it, but I think that "shapes" is basically how it sounds. You will see the shapes in the actors' hands, arms, and overall body movements. Another explanation I like is that the actors are using their arms to close gaps in eachother's attack. really hard to explain, I think it was Rob P on the Stunt People site that said that and he explained it much better than I can. but I think when you see a guy like Phillip Ko move you will see the shapes. Also a movie like Buddhist fist is a perfect example of shapes.

[Chinatown Kid]

Best basher to me is The Delinquent, films like Call Me Dragon and Little Superman aren't bashers in my book because the kicking technique in them is to damn fine, same with any of Bruce's films he's to good of a technician. Get Jimmy Wang Yu or Chen Sing throwing one of his stiff kicks and I'll call it one.;) But hey that's just me.

KF Comedy: Drunken Master!

Shapes: Super Power

I'll have to agree with Endsang on the best tournament film, Bloodsport. Van Damme all the way!

Shaolin: Master Killer

Classic Swordplay: The Assassin

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Best basher to me is The Delinquent, films like Call Me Dragon and Little Superman aren't bashers in my book because the kicking technique in them is to damn fine, same with any of Bruce's films he's to good of a technician. Get Jimmy Wang Yu or Chen Sing throwing one of his stiff kicks and I'll call it one.;) But hey that's just me.


Well going by that, I think because of JAmes Nam's kicks you have to consider Little Superman at least part basher:D

[Chinatown Kid]

Well going by that, I think because of JAmes Nam's kicks you have to consider Little Superman at least part basher:D

I guess you got me there M, it's just when I think basher I think of rather crude techniques. But if people are bashing the hell out of one another it can mean with fine or crude moves huh. :)

[Markgway]

Can't believe I forgot about Enter the Dragon for Best Tournament. D'oh!

And I wouldn't say Fist of Fury was a basher in the way The Big Bsss is. But then it's not shapes either is it? Bruce's choregraphy didn't really fit into either camp.

[TheManInWhite]

Can't believe I forgot about Enter the Dragon for Best Tournament. D'oh!

And I wouldn't say Fist of Fury was a basher in the way The Big Bsss is. But then it's not shapes either is it? Bruce's choregraphy didn't really fit into either camp.

Good point. I thought I'd try to squeeze another Bruce film in. With that in mind, I made a few adjustments...

[tdb]

Basher:
King Boxer

Classic Swordplay:
Legendary Weapons of China

Shaolin:
36TH Chamber of Shaolin

Tournament:
7 Grandmasters

Comedy:
Mr Vampire

Shapes:
Drunken Master

Female Action Film:
Peking Opera Blues

Crime/Drama
Hard Boiled

Two Against One Villian:


Sword/Fantasy:
Swordsman II

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
The Five Venoms

[Tosh]

I see I'll have some of the same as others.

Basher:
The Boxer From Shantung

Classic Swordplay:
The Sword - Last Hurrah for Chiverly

Shaolin:
8 Diagram Pole Fighter

Tournament:
Master of the Fying Guillotine

Comedy:
Dirty Ho

Shapes:
Heros Two

Female Action Film:
Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan

Crime/Drama
The Delinquent

Two Against One Villian:
The Secret Rivals II

Sword/Fantasy:
Boxer's Omen

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
Shaolin Temple

[The Dragon]

I'm really liking the diversity of the selections here. You can't go wrong with most of the picks.
:D

[Yakuza954]

Five Shaolin Masters is shapes through and through..

[Drunken Cat]

Basher:
Fist of Fury

Classic Swordplay:
The Black Tavern

Shaolin:
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

Tournament:
Master of the Flying Guillotine

Comedy:
Dirty Ho

Shapes:
The Prodigal Son (1981)

Female Action Film:
Come Drink With Me

Crime/Drama
Man of Iron

Two Against One Villian:
The Magnificent Ruffians (Chiang Sheng and Kuo Chui vs. Lu Feng)

Three Against One:
The Daredevils (Lu Feng, Chiang Sheng, and Kuo Chui vs. Wang Li)

Weapons:
Legendary Weapons of China

Ninja:
Five Element Ninjas

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
Ten Tigers of Kwantung

[Morgoth Bauglir]

Nice. Prodigal Son has some spine tingling shapes in that fight between Lam Ching Ying and Frankie Chan.

[Drunken Cat]

Nice. Prodigal Son has some spine tingling shapes in that fight between Lam Ching Ying and Frankie Chan.

The wing chun by Lam in Prodigal Son is incredible within itself. There is also an impressive display of wing chun by Lam in Warriors Two. He came a long way with his acting from playing the part of Ah Yen in The Big Boss. Lam was even an action choreographer/director in many films including Prodigal Son. He died way too soon, but was probably sick for many years before he became inactive in Hong Kong.

[The Dragon]

The wing chun by Lam in Prodigal Son is incredible within itself. There is also an impressive display of wing chun by Lam in Warriors Two. He came a long way with his acting from playing the part of Ah Yen in The Big Boss. Lam was even an action choreographer/director in many films including Prodigal Son. He died way too soon, but was probably sick for many years before he became inactive in Hong Kong.

Yeah. Did you know he was Shieh Kien's double in ETD? He was also Bruce's co-AD. He was gaining a great deal of Bruce's respect because supposedly Lam was one of the toughest around at the time. His mantle was "show me"... "show me the power!" he didn't readily give other actors credit until they proved themselves, according to Sammo. Bruce was one who had to prove himself to Lam. On the set of BB, it was Bruce's power driven sidekick that settle that with Lam. Lee had his full support after being on the receiving end. Lol.

[edher_M.A.]

Basher:
Call Me Dragon

Classic Swordplay:
Duel to the Death

Shaolin:
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

Tournament:
Master of the Flying Guillotine

Comedy:
The Young Master

Shapes:
The Victim

Bruceploitation
Tower of Death

Female Action Film:
Anything with Angela Mao.

Crime/Drama
The Boxer from Shangtung

Two Against One Villian:
Secret Rivals II (John Liu & Tino Wong vs Hwang Jang Lee)

Three Against One:
Hell's Windstaff (kwan young moon, meng hoi, mang yuen man vs hwang jang lee)

Weapons:
Legendary Weapons of China

Ninja:
Shaolin Challenge Ninja

Ensemble (Multiple fighters):
Shanghai 13

New Wave Kung Fu
The Iron Monkey

[Drunken Cat]

Yeah. Did you know he was Shieh Kien's double in ETD? He was also Bruce's co-AD. He was gaining a great deal of Bruce's respect because supposedly Lam was one of the toughest around at the time. His mantle was "show me"... "show me the power!" he didn't readily give other actors credit until they proved themselves, according to Sammo. Bruce was one who had to prove himself to Lam. On the set of BB, it was Bruce's power driven sidekick that settle that with Lam. Lee had his full support after being on the receiving end. Lol.

Nope, I was unaware that Lam doubled for Shieh Kien in Enter The Dragon. I do know that he started as an actor playing small roles, then moved to stunts and action directing/choreography very quickly. His opera background definely helped him land jobs at both Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest. Bruce must of liked him, because he used Lam for all of his completed films. I remember reading that Lam was incredibly versitile and could mimic many styles after watching them. I just don't remember where I read that though. BTW, During what movie did the kicking incident occur?

I also happened upon this today, which seems like a very good read.
http://www.lamchingying.com/index.htm
I'll have to take a look at it once I get more time. I would rather not hijack this thread, so if there is anything else maybe a moderator should move these discussions?

[The Dragon]

...BTW, During what movie did the kicking incident occur?

It happened while they were making The Big Boss. Lam questioned Bruce's being "brought in from America" and his Martial prowess. Liu Yung, who was being groomed by Lo Wei, was also one of the guys questioning Lee's skills. Didn't take long to convince them... Lee always liked to put on his tricks, most of which these guys weren't privy to... plus, taking on a couple of Thai fighters while on location, the rest is history.

[Drunken Cat]

It happened while they were making The Big Boss. Lam questioned Bruce's being "brought in from America" and his Martial prowess. Liu Yung, who was being groomed by Lo Wei, was also one of the guys questioning Lee's skills. Didn't take long to convince them... Lee always liked to put on his tricks, most of which these guys weren't privy to... plus, taking on a couple of Thai fighters while on location, the rest is history.

If you haven't, you should take a look at the Bey Logan interview with Lam.
http://www.lamchingying.com/interview.htm
It's a real interesting read. There is quite a bit on Bruce, including working with him on the production of The Big Boss. Lam even worked on Game of Death with Bruce. He was deeply saddened when Bruce passed away.

[The Dragon]

Thanks DC, that was a nice interview.:D

[Morgoth Bauglir]

you should give it a try. It doesn't have to be a definitive list. I don't think that could be expected. It is tough on the mind I admit, but every once in awhile I need to give my brain a workout.

[Drunken Cat]

you should give it a try. It doesn't have to be a definitive list. I don't think that could be expected. It is tough on the mind I admit, but every once in awhile I need to give my brain a workout.

It is rather tough. I could have a top 5 for each and it still wouldn't be enough.

[The Dragon]

It is rather tough. I could have a top 5 for each and it still wouldn't be enough.

More Kung Fu movies! I think I like the idea!

[WhiteTiger1]

XD
BASHER- Queen Boxer

CLASSIC SWORDPLAY-Deadly Breaking Sword

SHAOLIN - 36th Chamber of Shaolin

TOURNAMENT-KingBoxer

COMEDY- My Young Auntie

SHAPES-Warriors Two

FEMALE ACTION FILM-Wing Chun

BRUCEPLOITATION-The Big Boss

CRIME/DRAMA-The Boxer from Shangtung

TWO AGAINST ONE VILLAIN-Snake Deadly Act

3 AGAINST 1-Tough!! Will come back to it, Hell's Windstaff is a good one...

WEAPONS- Super Ninjas

NINJAS-Heroes of the East

ENSEMBLE-5 Shaolin Masters

NEW WAVE KUNG FU-Kung Fu Hustle

:):p:D

[The Dragon]

Thread bump!

Any new titles people may want to add?

I have a new list:

BASHER- The Prodigal Boxer

CLASSIC SWORDPLAY- The Chase aka Shanghai Killers

SHAOLIN - The 18 Bronzemen

TOURNAMENT-Duel of Fists

COMEDY- Enter The Fat Dragon

SHAPES- The Seven Commandments of Kung Fu

FEMALE ACTION FILM- The Queen Boxer

BRUCEPLOITATION- Bruce and Shaolin Kung Fu

CRIME/DRAMA- Street Gangs of Hong Kong

TWO AGAINST ONE VILLAIN- The Secret Rivals II

WEAPONS- The Masked Avengers

NINJAS- 5 Element Ninjas

ENSEMBLE- Shaolin Temple

NEW WAVE KUNG FU- Fighter In The Wind

[Yang Wu Liang]

Probably edit this after more thought but for now -

Classic Swordplay:
Sword of Justice

Shaolin:
Shaolin Temple (Jet LI)

Tournament:
Warriors of the Water Margin

Comedy:
Victim / Lady Constables

Shapes:
Shaolin Temple Against Lama

Female Action Film:
Broken Oath / Woman Avenger

Crime/Drama
Tiger Killer (drama)

Two Against One Villian:
Ninja Hunter

Sword/Fantasy:
Zu Warriors

Ensemble(Multiple fighters):
Four Real Friends / Shaolin Temple (SB)