Ash Ketchum

There's an article in today's New York Times Arts & Leisure section on a new genre of domestic (U.S.) low-budget movies featuring stars of mixed martial arts. Here's a link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/mo...ef=todayspaper

These films get shown in conjunction with mixed martial arts events and usually wind up going straight to DVD rather than a real theatrical release.

Titles mentioned in the article include:
ART OF SUBMISSION
LOCKED DOWN
NEVER SURRENDER
BLOOD AND BONE
HELL'S CHAIN
CIRCLE OF PAIN

Stars mentioned include:
Ken Chamitoff
Frank Shamrock
Hector Echavarria
Gray Maynard

They mention a couple of stars who've done mainstream movies: Randy Couture and Quinton Jackson, aka Rampage. I've heard of these two guys but not the others I cited. I've never heard of any of the movies I listed.

Has anyone here seen any of these films? Is there anything to report on them? Worth tracking down for fans of martial arts films?

Thanks.

The article makes no mention of Gina Carano or HAYWIRE, although I thought she was a mixed martial arts star.

stingermck

I fucking love these movies. So bad they are good. Hector Echavarria trips me out. He stars and writes a lot of them. Ok action star, some charisma, but he always has himself in multiple sex scenes with hot chics. Hilarious.

They are decent films for martial arts fans, but if you are a MMA fan seeing UFC and other guys show up, will increase your level of enjoyment. They appeal to my love of bad movies. For example when Circle of Pain was released I saw it starred Kimbo Slice and Dean Cain. That's a must have for me.

The ones I have seen are Circle of Pain, Locked Down, Beatdown, and Never Surrender. Blood and Bone has Michael Jai White, and as far as I know isnt that connected with the other ones. Maybe same company, I dont know. Haywire is in no way affiliated.

thelwig14

Blood and Bone should not be mentioned with those movies.

It is one of the best DTV movies of all-time and easily one of the best martial arts movies ever.

Solid Snake

Those are some bold things to say. I've never seen Blood and Bone though...

To me, UniSol: Regeneration was probably the best DTV movie I've ever seen. Granted..I don't see many of them. It also had some of the best action in around in that timeframe.

But to call something one of the best martial arts movies ever?! That's fucking bold. That's putting it up against some amazing films. What makes Blood and Blood that damn good?

stingermck

thelwig14

Unisol Regen is the best dtv ever made. Blood and Bone is next. I would probably put Undisputed 3 third though the villain is weak.

Refer to the picture above of MJW, but add some of the best fight choreography of all-time with the camera held still and a great villain.

Solid Snake

I love MJW, he should really be in an Expendables film by now.

Are we seriously putting Blood and Bone next to the greatest of the genre? I mean...that's pretty fucking heavy. I'll check it out now..but that's pretty damn high up on the hype.

thelwig14

Looking through 2013 eyes, it definitely is up there.

It is brutal, athletic, realistic (as much as a martial arts film can be), and has little (if at all) stunt, wire, and cg work.

stingermck

Yes we are. Watch it and report back.