Rope A Dope 2 - Return of the Martial Arts Mafia (2015)

Eric vs Mafia: 4/5

Eric vs Dennis: 4.75/5



Honestly, I thought the first Rope a Dope was my favorite short action film of all time. This might've surpassed it. Exceeding my already lofty expectations, Rope a Dope 2 takes a great concept and escalates it even more. Also, it's hilarious. The broken bottle gag near the end I've rewatched almost as much as the fights. And the fights are, of course, superb. Eric and Dennis are like this generation's Yuen Biao and Dick Wei, such awesome chemistry between the two. Their duel in this short is actually different than their previous ones. I could watch them fight forever (though I'm hoping if there's a third installment their characters will team up). I'm out of superlatives. Just watch this. HIGHLY Recommended

Mario Warfare Part 7 (2014)

Peach vs Wario: 3.25/5

Mario vs Waluigi: 4/5


Getting Eric Jacobus to play Waluigi was a terrific idea. It produces the best fight of the series so far and maybe my favorite video game character live action fight ever. Waluigi looks like an absolute beast the whole fight. Utilizing Wing Chun punches and stellar kicks, Waluigi makes Mario look outclassed for the first time in the series.

I also want to note that the fight between Peach and Wario is surprisingly good. If it weren't for Eric's performance in this episode I'd still have a new favorite fight of the series in Peach vs Wario. A lot of emotion, drama and some of the exchanges caught me off guard with how good they were. In terms of storytelling it might be the best of the series so far.

So in all, yeah this is my favorite episode of the series to date. Two major fights that deliver exactly as they should, or even better. And looking forward to the next.

Future Boss (2013)

Eric vs Lorenz: 4.5/5


Two of my favorite screen fighters ever, indie or otherwise, finally going at it. Man I've been waiting on this for a while. And it doesn't disappoint. This fight is all around excellent. Especially once Eric learns how to fight, it leads to some fantastic exchanges. Great kicking, falls and handwork. Fast and fluid. Love it.

Informant (2011)

Eric vs Andy: 4.75/5


Two of my favorite indie guys mixing it up. It honestly even exceeded my expectations. Man this fight is amazing. Excellent rhythm, pacing and choreography. So fast and fluid. Indie martial arts screen fighting at its finest.

Ness (2011)

Eric vs Lucas & Alvin: 3.75/5

Ed vs Hiroshi: 3.25/5

Eric vs Hiroshi: 4.25/5


Eric and Hiroshi have great screen fighting chemistry. I love watching these guys trade blows. Also Eric's fight with Alvin and Lucas is really good, even though it's short. I can tell Eric and Alvin also have great chemistry, and Lucas has improved tremendously.

Great work as usual, by the Stuntpeople.

Contour (2007)

Opening Fight: 3.5/5

Eric vs Andy: 4.75/5

Dennis & Ray vs Vlad, Troy & Thugs: 3.75/5

Ed vs Rabbit: 2.5/5

Ed vs Phantom: 4/5

Tyler vs Thugs: 2.25/5

Ed vs Troy & Thugs: 4.5/5

Andy & Vlad vs Ray: 4/5

Eric vs Dennis: 5/5

Man, what can I even say? Contour is one of the best martial arts movies of all time. It's not just "good for an indie movie". It's incredible. It's honestly probably in my top 5 fighting movies ever. And I've watched a lot of fighting movies. 

What's so great, beyond just the pure quality and amount of fighting there is, is the variation of fighting. From 1 vs many, to a baseball bat eskrima fight, to a wing chun duel to your standard straight up kickboxing clash...Contour offers so many fights and every fight tells its own unique story through its own unique brand of martial art. Great stuff.

I mean, the ratings speak for themselves. Just buy it, support these guys. Go to the stuntpeople.com and see for yourself. HIGHLY recommended. 

Rope A Dope (2013)

Finale: 4.75/5

What can I say, the Stuntpeople simply rule. Adding Lorenz of the Young Masters to the mix doesn't hurt either. Eric and Dennis have the excellent screen fighting chemistry that they've always displayed. I didn't grade the other fights leading up to the finale because it doesn't make sense to. The finale is my favorite fight scene of 2013. And as a short film this may be my favorite SP short film ever. That's all you need to know. Highly Recommended.

Death Grip (2012)

Baseball Field Fight: 3.25/5

Bathroom Fight: 2.25/5

Dark Fight: 2.75/5

Eric vs Knights: 3.75/5

Eric vs Alvin: 4.75/5

Eric vs Johnny: 4.25/5

The stunt people truly are a top tier stunt group. Eric Jacobus performs great screen fighting as usual. Add Johnny Yong Bosch to the mix and we've got a barn-burner. I will say that a lot of the fighting in the first half of the film didn't grab me. The dark fight is an interesting concept. The bathroom brawl is pretty funny. Once we get towards the end, things really pick up. Alvin and Eric deliver a near perfect knife fight. And the highly anticipated finale is also great stuff, more of a storytelling fight than a technical one. Recommended.