The Man With Iron Fists (2012)

Opening Fight: 2/5

X Blade vs Group: 2.75/5

X Blade & Guards vs Batista: 2.25/5

The Gemini vs The Lions: 3.25/5

Girls vs Lions: 3/5

Jack Knife vs Dagger: 1.5/5

Rza vs Batista: 2.75/5

X Blade vs Silver Lion: DUD



Rza made a kung fu movie. This is that. It's mediocre. But it's really cool to see Rza pay homage to the old school style kung fu flicks. The problem is that there's nothing fresh or interesting about it. And the fights are nothing special. Russell Crowe is great. So is the main villain. The universe Rza creates is interesting. But it doesn't truly satisfy.

Skipable.

One Last Rumble (2009)

Lester vs Edmund: 4.25/5

Lester vs Bakia: 4/5

Lester vs Edmund: 4.75/5


One of my all time favorite martial arts indie shorts. Lester's Magnum Opus. The Finale between him and Edmund is fantastic. And the other 2 fights are also great. HIGHLY recommended.

Pandora's Box (2014)

Irvin vs Mikey: 3/5


Good fight. Irvin's screen fighting has improved tremendously. His kicking and tricking is very smooth. And I like the MMA style stuff here. I only wish they had left in sound effects for Mikey's ground and pound. Overall solid stuff.

Second Life (2014)

Kitchen Fight: 3.25/5

Building Fight 1: 2.25/5

Building Fight 2: 3.75/5


Nice MMA style fighting in this short film. The kitchen fight has a cool transition from a Triangle choke into a Gogoplata. Really good fight, especially considering they did it all in that one little area.

The last fight has great handwork and fluid choreography. Feels gritty and realistic, but still looks pretty. If it had gone a little longer it would be 4 stars or more. Note that there is some sound level inconsistency throughout the short film. I had to adjust accordingly. Still, recommended.

Bahad a.k.a. Threat (2014)

Fight Scene: 3.75/5


Cool stuff. I dig eskrima and there are some really good exchanges here. Throws, falls and good choreo combined with great pacing. LBP does solid work.

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.