I snagged this one on sale for a buck. It looked like a Chinese kung fu b-movie... which I figured still had to be pretty good.
Oh my god, it is horrible.
I think it is a Hollywood wannabe kung fu b-movie. The 2 wise chinese dudes training the young, misguided american are Victor Wong from Big Trouble in Little China and Tremors, and the chinese restaurant guy from that Seinfeld episode where they were waiting to be seated.
I'm half way through the movie and I don't think I can finish it.
Edited By GORDON on 1197596465
Paper Dragons
This is the IMDB description, which gave it 9 out of 10 stars......
I'll bet cash money that someone involved in the film wrote this review.
BTW, the "russian immigrant" swears in spanish.
Edited By GORDON on 1197607114
A Russian immigrant, Paul Marcos, becomes a drug dealer to survive. After a heist he joins goes bad, he recovers from his wounds at a Buddhist Temple. There he is taught Mantis style martial arts. But the abbots at the monastery have a hidden agenda, one which forces Marcos into confrontation with the mob that ruined the heist....
Here's the bad news - this is not an action movie.
It is a drama about one young man's spiritual journey through a world of corruption. Not a martial arts film but a film about martial arts, and how rigorous self-discipline and strict ethics comprise what kung fu is really all about.
Here's the good news - despite a crash budget, Adolfo Swaya turns in a remarkably good film. Strong script, surprisingly effective visuals, excellent editing, rock solid acting despite some stereotyping, good sound quality for a cheapie independent. And that's is what this is, really - an independent film (a personal film, very carefully crafted), not a 'kung fu' film. But I found it easy to watch and with a lesson to learn. Rewards the patient viewer who can release genre expectations and enjoy it for what it is
I'll bet cash money that someone involved in the film wrote this review.
BTW, the "russian immigrant" swears in spanish.
Edited By GORDON on 1197607114
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."