Which Shaw Brothers Celestial DVD's should I buy?
05-09-04, 04:12 PM
#26
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So cali.
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Judging from what you enjoy, you may like these, but before you place your order, I would say research these titles first or ask other people for more recommendations or any comments on the ones that I have listed. My likes and dislikes are most likely different than yours, so my advice to you is to research these titles first. Reason for saying this is, I feel bad when I recommend someone movies to look into and they end up not liking it (like I wasted their money). Check out kungfucinema for some reviews. I hope this helps you out.
Shaw Bros kung fu essentials
36th Chamber of Shaolin
Five Venoms
8 Diagram Pole Fighter
heroes Two
5 Shaolin Masters
The Master
Invincible Shaolin
Executioners from Shaolin
I consider all these essentials for MA films, but you may want to check out the first three to see if these movies are to your liking. If they are, then you could move on to the others that I mentioned.
Swordplay essentials
Killer Clans
Sentimental Swordsman
Magic Blade
Soul of the Sword
Death Duel
Jade Tiger
Clans of Intrigue
Secret Service of Imperial Court
Just like what I said above, check out the first four, then move on to the rest if they are to your liking. Just like Ky-Fi said, Chor Yuen films are difficult to follow because they seem complex at times, but if you could get past that then prepare to enjoy some of the coolest swordplays ever filmed.
Other Shaw films
Boxer from Shantung--deals with the rise and fall of a Chinese peasant (maybe this was an influence on Brian De Palma's Scarface) Very good film btw
Super Inframan--since tokusatsu films are a guilty pleasure of mine, I have to recommend this one if you like Ultraman, rubber monster costumes, cheesy special effects, and marital arts.
Blood Brothers--I don't know whether it classify this is a MA film, but this is one of my favorites.
Even though the next films aren't Shaw bros, I consider these to be "essentials" if you are a MA fan or getting into this genre. Some of these could be bought for real cheap at dddhouse.
MAster of the Flying Guillotine (Jimmy wang yu)
Warriors Two (Sammo Hung)
Prodigal Son (Yuen Biao)
Last Hurrah for Chivalry (John Woo swordplay)
Magnificent Butcher (Sammo Hung)
Fist of Legend (Jet Li)
Drunken Master (JAckie Chan)
Drunken Master 2 (Legend of Drunken MAster) (Jackie Chan)
7 Grand Masters
Shaw Bros kung fu essentials
36th Chamber of Shaolin
Five Venoms
8 Diagram Pole Fighter
heroes Two
5 Shaolin Masters
The Master
Invincible Shaolin
Executioners from Shaolin
I consider all these essentials for MA films, but you may want to check out the first three to see if these movies are to your liking. If they are, then you could move on to the others that I mentioned.
Swordplay essentials
Killer Clans
Sentimental Swordsman
Magic Blade
Soul of the Sword
Death Duel
Jade Tiger
Clans of Intrigue
Secret Service of Imperial Court
Just like what I said above, check out the first four, then move on to the rest if they are to your liking. Just like Ky-Fi said, Chor Yuen films are difficult to follow because they seem complex at times, but if you could get past that then prepare to enjoy some of the coolest swordplays ever filmed.
Other Shaw films
Boxer from Shantung--deals with the rise and fall of a Chinese peasant (maybe this was an influence on Brian De Palma's Scarface) Very good film btw
Super Inframan--since tokusatsu films are a guilty pleasure of mine, I have to recommend this one if you like Ultraman, rubber monster costumes, cheesy special effects, and marital arts.
Blood Brothers--I don't know whether it classify this is a MA film, but this is one of my favorites.
Even though the next films aren't Shaw bros, I consider these to be "essentials" if you are a MA fan or getting into this genre. Some of these could be bought for real cheap at dddhouse.
MAster of the Flying Guillotine (Jimmy wang yu)
Warriors Two (Sammo Hung)
Prodigal Son (Yuen Biao)
Last Hurrah for Chivalry (John Woo swordplay)
Magnificent Butcher (Sammo Hung)
Fist of Legend (Jet Li)
Drunken Master (JAckie Chan)
Drunken Master 2 (Legend of Drunken MAster) (Jackie Chan)
7 Grand Masters
Last edited by Master Killer; 05-09-04 at 04:17 PM.
05-09-04, 04:21 PM
#27
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Are any of their other films like Super Inframan? I enjoy cheesy flicks like Zu: Warriors of the Magic Mountain, etc..
Last edited by flashburn; 05-09-04 at 06:39 PM.
05-09-04, 05:01 PM
#28
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So cali.
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kung Fu Colt Master (Lord of the Wu-Tang) (Jet Li)
Buddha's Palm (shaw bros)
Tai Chi Master (Jet Li) doesn't have the cheesy effects, but it has that wire fu type of martial arts.
These are the ones that I could think of off the top of my head.
Buddha's Palm (shaw bros)
Tai Chi Master (Jet Li) doesn't have the cheesy effects, but it has that wire fu type of martial arts.
These are the ones that I could think of off the top of my head.
05-13-04, 09:33 PM
#31
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Cape Ann, Massachusetts
Posts: 10,928
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
And here's the tentative release schedule for the rest of the year------oh, my aching credit card......
http://www.asiandvdguide.com/shaw_brothers.html
http://www.asiandvdguide.com/shaw_brothers.html
05-14-04, 08:12 AM
#32
Banned
Join Date: May 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
These are indeed lovely releases.
One's I've picked up:
"The Water Margin" - very let down by the lack of action in this and wasted cast...some okay bits, but there was no pint in most of the cast even being in it as most did nothing but lurk around in the background.
"All Men Are Brothers" - This is more like it! Silly, but delivered those great 'Shaws' fights in splattery bucket loads. This had some strange sound problems though.
"Bamboo House of Dolls" - Very good sleaze 'n' violence fest that just looks great on this new transfer.
"Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" - Not the cheap sleaze thing the silly title would have you believe. Very swell made, interesting, sometimes nasty and with a great finale. Again it lopks stunning with those wonderful Shaws sets never looking better.
"The Blood Brothers" - Again a lack of action, and a lack of bloodshed..But some great moments and some fine performaces, and excellently choreographed. Ti Lung is, as always, the man.
"8 Diagram Pole Fighters" may be my nest purchase.
One's I've picked up:
"The Water Margin" - very let down by the lack of action in this and wasted cast...some okay bits, but there was no pint in most of the cast even being in it as most did nothing but lurk around in the background.
"All Men Are Brothers" - This is more like it! Silly, but delivered those great 'Shaws' fights in splattery bucket loads. This had some strange sound problems though.
"Bamboo House of Dolls" - Very good sleaze 'n' violence fest that just looks great on this new transfer.
"Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan" - Not the cheap sleaze thing the silly title would have you believe. Very swell made, interesting, sometimes nasty and with a great finale. Again it lopks stunning with those wonderful Shaws sets never looking better.
"The Blood Brothers" - Again a lack of action, and a lack of bloodshed..But some great moments and some fine performaces, and excellently choreographed. Ti Lung is, as always, the man.
"8 Diagram Pole Fighters" may be my nest purchase.
05-15-04, 07:59 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just ordered 3 Celestial Shaw Bros. dvds from Yesasia. These are my first Shaw Bros. purchases. I decided to start with these three and if I like them I will consider buying more.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
8 diagram pole fighter
Executioners From Shaolin
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
8 diagram pole fighter
Executioners From Shaolin
05-15-04, 09:11 AM
#35
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally posted by welb25
I just ordered 3 Celestial Shaw Bros. dvds from Yesasia. These are my first Shaw Bros. purchases. I decided to start with these three and if I like them I will consider buying more.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
8 diagram pole fighter
Executioners From Shaolin
I just ordered 3 Celestial Shaw Bros. dvds from Yesasia. These are my first Shaw Bros. purchases. I decided to start with these three and if I like them I will consider buying more.
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
8 diagram pole fighter
Executioners From Shaolin
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin
The Flying Guillotine
The Five Venoms
Killer Clans
Hopefully I will get them in about a week. Looking forward to seeing them.
05-15-04, 07:48 PM
#39
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So cali.
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Damn you guys for informing about the sale at YesAsia. 
I went ahead and ordered My Young Auntie, Mad Monkey Kung Fu, and Old Boy(even though it ain't Shaw related). My bank account has been taking a beating these days. Thanks everyone. 
J/K
I went ahead and ordered My Young Auntie, Mad Monkey Kung Fu, and Old Boy(even though it ain't Shaw related). My bank account has been taking a beating these days. Thanks everyone. J/K
07-14-04, 07:50 PM
#41
DVD Talk Legend
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: True North Strong & Free
Posts: 23,548
Received 2,309 Likes
on
1,564 Posts
The ones that I have seen look excellent. Hong Kong isn't exactly known for its film preservation efforts, but either Shaw kept good care of their original elements, or there was some miracle restoration work done (the truth is probably somewhere in between). Anyway, the prints I've seen look gorgeous. The sound is not as breathtaking, but perfectly serviceable. The only complaints I've heard about the audio, is that some titles for some reason have an annoying "bird whistling" sound effect added in the background (even in indoor scenes). Either I haven't caught it, or it doesn't occur in the relatively few titles I have so far. At any rate, I highly recommend these DVDs.
07-15-04, 12:57 AM
#42
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally posted by cultshock
The ones that I have seen look excellent. Hong Kong isn't exactly known for its film preservation efforts, but either Shaw kept good care of their original elements, or there was some miracle restoration work done (the truth is probably somewhere in between). Anyway, the prints I've seen look gorgeous. The sound is not as breathtaking, but perfectly serviceable. The only complaints I've heard about the audio, is that some titles for some reason have an annoying "bird whistling" sound effect added in the background (even in indoor scenes). Either I haven't caught it, or it doesn't occur in the relatively few titles I have so far. At any rate, I highly recommend these DVDs.
The ones that I have seen look excellent. Hong Kong isn't exactly known for its film preservation efforts, but either Shaw kept good care of their original elements, or there was some miracle restoration work done (the truth is probably somewhere in between). Anyway, the prints I've seen look gorgeous. The sound is not as breathtaking, but perfectly serviceable. The only complaints I've heard about the audio, is that some titles for some reason have an annoying "bird whistling" sound effect added in the background (even in indoor scenes). Either I haven't caught it, or it doesn't occur in the relatively few titles I have so far. At any rate, I highly recommend these DVDs.
