The Old School Kung Fu Fest is back and the Museum of the Moving Image and Subway Cinema will co-present eight newly restored films and one fan favorite classic by Kuo on glorious 35mm. Four titles will be available exclusively online, December 6–13, and another five films for in-person big-screen viewing at MoMI, December 10–12.
Ah Pao wants to learn kung fu for a very important reason: He must his father’s death at the hands of the man known as the Ghost Faced Killer, who in turn in hunting down different leaders, throwing down his ghost face killing plate and then murdering them with his five elements style.
“The game of chess is like a sword fight
You must think first before you move
Toad style is immensely strong and immune to nearly any weapon
When it’s properly used it’s almost invincible”
Ah Pao finally makes his way to The Chang Sing School yet he discovers another layer of struggle, as he’s bullied by every older student. Yet it’s the school’s cook who teaches him some moves after challenging him to steal one piece of rice from his bowl and Ah Pao cheating to get it. Yet even the moves that he’s taught, the cook says, will never be enough. The Ghost Faced Killer is unstoppable to the point that even by owning his symbol, Ah Pao has marked everyone in the school for death.
Yet perhaps chess master Chi Sue Tin — an old enemy of the Ghost Faced Killer — may be the one who can teach our hero everything he knows — the chess boxing kung fu and the strategic link between the game and the martial art. Finally, when faced with the most powerful fighter in the world, Ah Pao and Chi Sue Tin team up using double horse style to challenge the man who has haunted both of their lives.
I mean, the Ghost Faced Killer walks in a room, laughs, throws down a personalized plate and then kills everyone in his path. That takes guts and style and man, we should all look to this villain and take away the good parts of what he did and add them to our lives.
If you walked into Prime Time Video and went to the right instead of the horror room to the left, you’d hit the back wall where action films lived. Rocky, Rambo, John Matrix and the A list heroes were always out, which left you to search through the ranks of Dudikoff and O’Keefe and man, that isn’t a bad place to be.
Miles O’Keefe is Python Lang — man, what a name! — here and he’s part of a team sent to destroy a Viet Cong training base. If you’ve seen any movie made after the second Rambo, you know the drill, but you’re here and huts blow up and machine guns and training montages.
A thirty-page script for ninety minutes of action feel like this was written Marvel style and it works right from the beginning, as a group of Americans are forced to fight in death matches complete with machine guns ready to kill their fellow soldiers and punjabi spikes to the back and body slams into tiger cages and man, I’m down for whatever comes next.
Sonny Sims only directed one movie and this is it, the sum totality of everything he wanted to say, all laid out for your eyes to see. What he wanted to give us was O’Keefe teaching people how to use throwing stars because that’s why we didn’t win Vietnam. It was all that simple.
Imagine if Apocalypse Now had even less plot and Mike Monty (Double Target) instead of Brando. This is that movie. There are a lot of people out there that will tell you that this has no plot or character development and I can straight up tell you those people are morons. You don’t rent a third or fourth-tier action movie to solve the issues of the day, unless the issues are “this hut in the Philippines needs to blow up real good.”
Finally. Phew. We are off the Godfrey Ho patch jobs sprockets of fate for an actual film: this one made by true Philippine film stars in actor-writer-directors Rudy Dominguez (80-plus credits) and Ernie Ortega (140-plus credits). Sadly, not many of their films made it to U.S. video shores with English dubs — not even their Rambo rip. Ernie’s biggest role — as far as U.S. audiences are concerned — was in Chuck Norris’s own Rambo rip with Missing in Action (1984).
Remember in First Blood how war veteran John Rambo went searching for his old war buddy stateside? Well, here we have war Sgt. E. Samson (iconic comedic actor Palito with 120-credits) on a personal mission to deliver a letter to the wife of a friend who died in the war. And as with Rambo before him: the town, well, village sheriff (Ernie Ortega) beats the troublesome vet and runs him out of the village. And like Rambo before him . . . well, you better bring the body bags, because the sheriff just tapped back into Samson’s “killer instincts” and there’s hell to be paid. And, yes, there’s a Col. Trautman here — to reel in our crazed pastry chef. Yes, you heard us right: this is a namsploitation parody joint.
As you can see from the cover, Palito ain’t no ripped Sly Stallone, and he’s mostly know for his comedic films in the Philippines. So, when our “Rambo” gets into a Kung-fu fight (and we use the term “Kung-fu” loosely), it’s more like Moe and Larry from The Three Stooges having at it, with slaps and face pokes. Oh, and Samson’s “heroism” was working as a cook — that specialized in pastries — for the American troops. Just seeing the stick-thin Palito running around with a knife that would give Crocodile Dundee pause, and lifting a rocket launcher bigger than his entire body, is, well comic gold, apparently for Philippines audiences, since this made bank. So Palito kept the bit going for two more films: Johnny Rambo Tango and Ram-Bone, and even did a James Bond spoof, James Bone: Agent 001.
Too bad there’s not an English dub or English subtitle to follow along with the Filipino and Tagalog languages, as there’s an actual film here that’s not a patchjob from other films. You can pick at the full film on You Tube.
About the Author: You can learn more about the writings of R.D Francis on Facebook.He also writes for B&S About Movies.
Oh, Ho, Ho Oh, Godfrey You know-oh-oh-o-o I never believe it’s not so That your films aren’t “magic” to me (da-dun)
Many have not tried. But I not only tried, but succeeded, in watching (and reviewing!) your Sly-cum-Arnie-cum-Sheen-cum-Norris ripoffs in a marathon weekend. From Soldier Terminators to Mission War Flame to Super Platoon to Top Mission*. And now: here we are with Fatal Command. And some of these are second watches from my first exposure back in the VHS rental ’80s.
Because you’re the David A. Prior of the Philippines . . . and what one of your films doesn’t kill me will make me stronger. At least until the Teddy Page warsploitation flicks start rolling.
Ugh. I wish you’d splice in some Richard Harrison (Rescue Team) or Romano Kristoff (Slash Exterminator) into this patch-hack joint of yours. Well, at least you’ve given us yet another alias to talk about: now you’re Victor Sears behind the lens. And your big “star” this time out is Tao Chang. But since he was in your film Ninja Thunderbolt (1984), I have my doubts that Chang was actually in this film and not just cut-in from Ninja Thunderbolt. Sure, Chein Sun — from my ol’ rental favorite Five Deadly Venoms (1978) is here. But from which of the 40-some films he did previously was he “cast” from into your film? Okay, in your defense, Godfrey: Chang was also in your films Ninja 8: Warrior of Fire, Terminal Angels, Ninja Death Squad, and The Vampire Raiders, so maybe there’s some original footage here to be had.
Uh, there’s not.
Hey! Richard Harrison AND Romano Kristoff in the same movie? Rescue Team is a go, Joe!
For this is another Filmark International Presents boondoggle that is just another puzzling puzzle of an enigma wrapped in riddle stuffed inside a mystery. Yeah, American actress-turned-screenwriter and dialog doctor Sally Nichols (aka Nicholls, also of Mission War Flame fame) is Godfrey Ho’s right-hand girl. She’s on the Brother typewriter and she’s trying and, truth be told, does a pretty amazing job (seriously, no sarcasm intended) bringing some semblance of a “plot” to these bits and pieces of old Pacific Rim films from the ’70s.
So, if you haven’t guessed by now: Southeast Asia is ripped apart by the Russians and the Americans who want to inject their political system into the region. So the KGB sends their agents, led by the rabid killer, Ivan, into Kampuchea to wipe out the American forces backed by the CIA. Of course, greed is good, even when Communism will take over the region. And in this region: Americans turn on Americans. Thus, John Matthews, the CIA agent paired with our good, U.S.-sympathizing Vietnamese agent, Jim, turns on Jim. We think. Or is General Wells — who put John and Jim together — the bad guy?
Okay, well, I see you noticed that nekkid lady on the VHS cover. Well, she’s some type of spy who betrayed General Wells, so she’s kidnapped and dies during the kidnapping. What does this have to do with the plot? Nothing. Well, no. We think she was Jim’s girlfriend. Or wife. Or something. It has to be, because Jim just sneaked into a children’s birthday party to kill the father of the man who failed at kidnapping his lady friend and killed her. Don’t forget: Jim’s the good guy, here. Imagine Rambo firing bullets into a birthday party to get revenge on Charles Napier or Jack Starlett?
And . . . this is the part of the review where, again, we drop the verb “ensues,” to work our way out of the review because nothing else ensues . . . expect a lot of running around a shallow river bed as the machine guns blaze and the grenades toss. And there’s no tanks. And that fleet of helicopters on the VHS cover never comes. But Jim — riddled with bullets and a couple of arrows in the back, dies in a river bed.
The message here? Uh, greed wins? Americans don’t give a damn about democratic freedom in Southeast Asia unless there’s a financial profit to be made? Again, Sally Nichols (aka Nicholls) weaved the dialog and was trying, but when you’re up against the Steenbeck of celluloid fate spun by Godfrey Ho, it’s a craps toss you can’t win, Sally. As with Ho’s Mission War Flame*, it was downright criminal to patch these “movies” together and dress them with Ramboesque artwork to toss onto the home video shelves. Even with my local video store’s 5-5-5 plan — with Ho’s films — you can’t say, “Well, it’s just a dollar.” Even at a dollar rental fee, this one’s a ripoff.
Celluloid masochists can fast forward through Fatal Command at their own peril on You Tube.
* We are writing ahead, here, so use that search box. You’re not that lazy to copy n’ paste, are you?
About the Author: You can learn more about the writings of R.D Francis on Facebook.He also writes for B&S About Movies.
So, before we get into this Godfrey Ho joint, let’s clear up the title confusion: Do not confuse this with the ex-The Dukes of Hazzard John Schneider bomb that was Cocaine Wars (1985), which became known as Top Mission in the overseas markets. And don’t confuse this Godfrey Ho joint with another of Ho’s chop shop joints, Top Team Force (1989), which is a film about the Hong Kong mafia that also aka’d the marketplace as Top Mission Exterminator.
So, before we get into this Godfrey Ho joint, let’s clear up the stock footage confusion: Most of the nifty action comes from William Mayo’s third feature film, Diablo Force (1986). Where the rest of the footage comes from . . . well, probably two to three more films that we can’t track down . . . forever lost in the vaults of Tomas Tang’s Filmark International Studios and K.Y Lim’s Silver Star Productions.
Oh, we should mention that Uncle G is deploying the name of Henry Lee for this run through the jungle. Okay, that’s all settled. Let’s load ‘er up!
Two covers. Twice the junk.
The leading lad here is Cameroon-born African actor Alphonse Beni, who made his mark in the international VHS marketplace with his vanity set piece, Cameroon Connection (1985; with Bruce Le), and Richard Harrison’s like-minded piece, Three Men on Fire (1986). Beni is one half of a biracial C.I.A duo (the other is the one-and-gone Kurt Eberhard) — both complete with ninja warrior skills — sent into the jungles to rescue a professor, who has developed a laser weapon. He’s been kidnapped by a fellow, rogue C.I.A agent who’s set up his own terrorist organization. Along the way there’s a plane hijacking, a couple of double crosses, bad dubbing, a jailbreak, bad editing, and a showdown inside a music club.
Adding to the Steenbeck reels of confusion: The same year Top Mission was released, Alphonse Beni also starred in Ho’s Fire Operation (1987) and Phillip Gordon (Strike Commando, The Siege of Firebase Gloria, Battle Rats, Kill Zone are a few of his 20-plus credits), who starred in Top Mission, co-stars, once again, with Beni.
Now, we can’t find any jungle Intel that states Fire Operation is an alternate title to Top Mission or if one is a recut-reimage of the other (see Ho’s analog chop socky of Devil’s Dynamite vs. Robo Vampire). But we’ll lay down our pesos on the green felts of a back-room Manila gambling joint that Beni never signed on for a film called Fire Operation and footage from Three Men on Fire and Ninja: Silent Assassin (1987), as well as Top Mission, is how Beni came to “star” in that Godfrey Ho production . . . where ninjas are so skilled, they, apparently, can be air-dropped into chopper blades!
Top Mission . . . incognito?
You can figure it all out with the full film of Top Mission and the trailer for Fire Operation on You Tube.
About the Author: You can learn more about the writings of R.D Francis on Facebook. He also writes for B&S About Movies.
This import to U.S. streaming audiences hails from Switzerland and features the subtitled languages of Swiss German and Turkish. The story deals with a second generation Muslim immigrant — a closeted gay — who beings a romance with an openly gay, Swiss national. Beyto is a champion swimmer, which makes his new love all-the-more complicated: it’s his swim coach, Mike.
While issues regarding LBGT issues have come a long way in the U.S., many in overseas countries do not know the joys to love freely without retribution. This sixth feature by writer/director Gitta Gsell (three narrative films and two documentaries) opens one’s eyes to the issues of sexuality, marriage, and the pressures of familial conflict that most American gays have never faced.
As you can see from the trailer below, this is a finely crafted work deserving of international distribution. Dimitri Stapfer, who stars as Mike, was nominated for a “Best Performance in a Supporting Role” award at the Swiss Film Prize (2021), while writer/director Gitta Gsell earned nominations at the Zurich Film Festival (2020), The Boston LGBT Film Festival (2021), and won the “Prix du Public” at the Solothurn Film Festival (2021). The screenplay is based on the novel, Hochzeitsflug (Wedding Flight) by Yusuf Yesiloz.
Beyto is now available from Lomotion AG Films in the U.S. on your preferred streaming platforms in December.
Directed by writer, producer, and filmmaker Martin Guigui (Beneath the Darkness), The Unhealer has a pretty strong cast with Natasha Henstridge (Species) and Lance Henriksen (Near Dark) as the best-known actors.
Kelly Mason (Elijah Nelson) is a young man with a compulsive eating disorder called pica that causes him to eat paper, Styrofoam and anything inedible he can get his hands on. Medical science can’t help him, his classmates bully him and his single mother (Henstridge) has no idea where to turn.
Enter Pflueger (Henriksen), a former con artist and hustler who has gone from desecrating ancient Native American burial grounds for artifacts to becoming Reverend Pflueger after an explosion gives him the ability to cure others. Despite the pleas of Native American elder Red Elk to give back the ability, Pflueger claims that he will live forever and use his healing gift for material wealth.
Bernice hires Pflueger to heal Kelly, but the laying on of hands causes the man to die of a heart attack. Now, his gift has been transferred to the boy. Any trauma inflicted on him only damages the people attacking him. So just imagine, if you’ve been abused by your fellow teens for years, what would you do?
Oh yeah — and if Kelly eats anything that someone has worn, everything he feels, the wearer feels too. Of course, this leads to a wet dream in the middle of the school day, adding to the late 90s/early 2000s direct to video feel of this film — I mean, it has a Stabbing Westward song over the credits — and that’s a good thing.
As Kelly becomes more confident and finally wins over Dominique, the woman of his dreams, he starts to realize that these powers are a curse and that they’ll demand more violence than just the damage he’s dealt to his bullies.
This has been developed as a trilogy, which makes sense, as it has a pretty decent story that feels like it can go on from here. There’s an insane moment where Kelly uses a drill on his own knees to deliver damage to a football player that shocked me with both its humor and gore. Well done.
The Unhealer is available on blu ray, DVD and a number of digital and cable platforms, including iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu, Comcast, Spectrum, and Cox. It will be coming to Roku and additional platforms soon.
Directed by Louisa Merino (Managing to Win: The Story of Strat-O-Matic Baseball), this film is all about Jerry Tellin, a World War II fighter pilot from New Jersey who flew the last combat mission over Japan.
On August 14, 1945, fighter pilot Jerry Yellin flew the last combat mission of World War II to attack airfields near Nagoya, Japan, carrying with him instructions to continue the assault unless he heard the word “Utah,” a code signaling the Japanese surrender, which never came.
After his 19th mission over Japan, Yellin returned home to a dark life of survivor’s guilt and daily thoughts of suicide. Married with four sons, Yellin was forced to face his enemy once again when his youngest son moved to Japan and married the daughter of a Kamikaze pilot. Through deep agonizing soul-searching reflection, the two fathers eventually opened their hearts and their arms to each other.
By the time of his passing in 2017, Yellin had become an outspoken advocate for veteran mental health and co-founded Operation Warrior Wellness, a division of the David Lynch Foundation that teaches veterans transcendental meditation to help them better cope with the effects of PTSD.
I’ve been watching quite a few veteran-based documentaries lately and this is one of the better films that I’ve seen. It’s a film that will open your mind to the power of change, forgiveness and meditation.
Jerry’s Last Mission is available on AppleTV and iTunes from Utopia. To learn more, check out the official website.
Join Bill, GG and me for two wild movies, advertising for the films, mixed drinks and lots of discussion as we ring out this year and get prepped for a 2022 filled with even more wild double features. It all gets started at 8 PM EST on the Groovy Doom Facebook or YouTube pages.
A political meme — you’ve seen them if you’re on social media — is a purposefully designed visual framing of a position that is created to deliver an inside joke, trigger an emotional reaction and create a sense of belonging. Memes are an entirely new form of political communication and attempts to use them for good and ill are growing rapidly.
They’re also close in use and form to sigils, the secret language used in chaos magic. Is that intentional? Or do you need to know it’s magic to use the power?
Director/cinematographer Hayley Garrigus made a three-year descent into the anonymous internet underworld to explore the genesis of memetic magic. She was also able to get information from both sides of the political spectrum, such as Memetic Magic: Manipulation of the Root Social Matrix and the Fabric of Reality author R. Kirk Patwood, Billy Brujo, Carole Michaella, Sean Bell, Nick Peterson, Mason Inglaessia, “User 666” and “Marianne” and more.
This film won’t give you any easy answers, as both the right and left are given equal time. This has upset some people that reviewed the film, as there’s no condemnation for anything in this film. Instead, it’s fascinated by the fact that memes potentially enabled political candidates to be elected.
As someone that has experience with both chaos magic and binding rituals against political figures, as well as creating memes for both personal and professional uses, I understand what this film is trying to state. However, it’s pretty scattershot and moves in plenty of directions. Yet that’s just why it’s so fascinating, much like the woman who claims that she knows that Obama has walked on Mars and is working to kill all of humanity, but then pauses to ask if Garrigus would like some tea.
You Can’t Kill Meme is now available on digital streaming from Utopia.
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