100 Reasons Why I Love The Philippines (In No Particular Order) Part One

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #1: Howdy Pilgrims! Daniel Palisa and I outside the ruins of the Diplomat Hotel in mountainous Baguio, scene of the ultimate nuns-with-machine-guns battle in They Call Her Cleopatra Wong (1978). It was originally a Dominican monastery in the 1800s before it was a hotel, then taken over by a Faith movement, and has been in ruins for over 20 years. And there it was, after a 20 minute drive uphill: the convent from Cleopatra Wong. Scanning the mouldering rooftops, my head was filled with visions of Bobby's moustache-clad nuns falling to their deaths in slow motion. I'm sure, somewhere amidst the slime-covered fountains and bombed-out rooms there's a metaphor for the Philippines film industry somewhere...

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #2: Cebu. Man I love that place. We stayed at a fantastic backpackers called Kukuk's Nest (actually more like an artist's retreat) for two days with our incredible host Maria Victoria Beltran and her zombie-filmmaker progeny Ivan Zaldarriaga, ate and drank like kings, dropped anchor off an island and lazed in pith helmet on the crystal-clear sea, tore through the Church of Santo Nino, and managed to squeeze in a "Bamboo Gods" talk at the University of San Carlos courtesy of the VERY generous and welcoming head of cinema studies Misha Anissimov. Here's what remained of the USC film geeks...thank you Cebu!!!

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #3: The desert in Ilocos Norte. The north-west part of Luzon island, twelve hours drive from Manila, is the last place you'd expect sand dunes, and that's what makes the Philippines' terrain so adaptable for movies. Cirio Santiago shot most of his post-apocalypse films nearby, and here at Fort Ilocandia - looking a little greener than usual thanks to the recent typhoon - Jim Gaines Jr shows me where Teddy Chiu shot him and Cynthia Khan in the futuristic kickboxing "epic" ETERNAL FIST/FIST OF STEEL (1992). This shot was taken just one minute before we received the phone call: "Madame Imelda is waiting for you..."

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #4: Cecille Baun, the Godmother of Gore and Queen of Special Effects. This humble and generous lady, pictured in her workshop with me and Daniel Palisa and one of her many burnt rubber babies, revolutionized the way effects were created for the local film industry way back in the early Seventies, then went on to such diverse projects as Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Hamburger Hill (for which she was nominated for an Academy Award), Shake Rattle And Roll, the Darna series, Raw Force, and John Sayle's recent Amigo. Needless to say, Dani and I completely ran amok in her toystore!!

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #5: Dolphy. The Pinoy King of Comedy passed away July 10th after seven decades in show business; here's a photo of a screening of his parody film James Batman (1966) - in which Dolphy plays James Bond AND Batman, and often in the same shot! - we did two days later in an artists' space in Baguio. I had the honour of meeting and interviewing Dolphy back in 2007, and having watching around fifty of his films I understood the enormous outpouring of emotion at his passing; as if an precious part of the Philippines' collective consciousness has departed this world forever. Screening James Batman that night was a raw, bittersweet experience, but made that much richer by sharing it with the crazed rice wine-swilling, bongo-bopping Baguio crowd (thanks Uber Alles!). RIP Dolphy.

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #6: House parties at Richard Somes'. We bring a shopping bag full of Tanduay rum and mixer, Richard cooks up half a caribou, the horror directors come on over with the old Goons, and twelve hour later... Somes (in white t-shirt) is one of the most interesting genre directors currently working in the Philippines, his latest aswang film Corazon making a killing at the local box office; Maria Rico Ilarde (second from right) is also a veteran horror guy, currently completing a Regal film about a killer fridge (!!), while Ato Bautista (right) is the more avant-garde of the three - see his genre-bending Carnivore and The Night Infinite. Daniel Palisa and I are flanked by veteran B actors - and Apocalypse Now extras! - Jim Gaines Jr (left) and Don Gordon Bell (front). Mabuhay!

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #6: Wallpaper. Specifically, the wallpaper in the home of Celso Ad Castillo, one the of the greatest ever filmmakers the Philippines has ever produced - Burlesk Queen (1977) with Vilma Santos, the horror classics Kill Barbara With Panic (1974) and Maligno (1978), iconic adult films Isla (1984) with Maria Isabel Lopez and the Soft Drink Beauties' Snake Sisters (1984), and that's just a hint at an extraordinary career. Daniel Palisa and I did the pilgrimage to his family house in Laguna, just over three hours drive from Manila, and for the next six hours drank rum and brandy, and talked about movies and laughed and plotted a collaboration. Keep watching this space...

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #7: Guns. It's a gun-happy culture. Even the signs at the Manila Zoo say "Please leave your handguns at the counter". So OF COURSE you're going to find a shooting range in the sub-basement of the Makati Square trip mall. There were .45s, 9mms, a .22 (pictured) that pierced armour and went off like a landmine, and a pump action shotgun that screamed "F*ck you!!!" every time you discharged an empty shell. And yes, I am still vegan.

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #8: Jeepneys. Those garishly-decorated reconditioned troop carriers that clog up roads and cost less than twenty cents a trip. Cel was our driver from Laoag Airport and he agreed to be our driver for the two days in Ilocos Norte; in return he received twice his regular wage plus he came to Imelda Marcos' birthday party with us. Believe me, there's nothing classier than turning up to the Marcos mansion in a jeepney!

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #9: The Kids. These are the remains of UP Diliman's ISA (Interdependent Student-Centred Activism) organization after a three hour lecture and DVD compilation of Pinoy B films, one of four campus talks I did last visit. Watching the kids lose their minds over the collected works of Weng Weng, Bobby A. Suarez and Cirio H. Santiago is a subversive joy unto itself and makes for a loose, fun, carnival-like atmosphere inside those hallowed halls of learning. Thank you Marko Yambao for inviting me, and hope to see you guys soon!

100 REASONS WHY I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES #10: Contrabidas, or screen villains. If you were making an action film in the Philippines, you too would cast veteran actor with 25 years of films under his black belt and gold medalist in Tae Kwon Do Monsour del Rosario, pictured here in his Makati City Hall office with me and Daniel Palisa, as your contrabida. Picture this: we've just handed him our script, we get the thumbs-up, and to seal the deal we head down to the police shooting range in City Hall's basement to blast away on his custom-made 45. Even by non-Tae Kwon Do standards, pure Gold.

Tough Beauty And The Sloppy Slop (1995)

1995 - Tough Beauty And The Sloppy Slop (New Treasurer Films Co. Ltd)

[Hong Kong production filmed in the Philippines, sometimes listed as “Tough Beauty And Sloppy Slop”]

Directors Alan Chui [Chung San], Yuen Bun Screenplay Foh Ging-Yiu Producers Chung Wai-Shing, Lam Wai Cinematography Stephen Poon Tak-Yip Composer J. Galden Editor Yiu Tin-Hung Action Directors Alan Chui [Chung San], Lee Chi-Git Planning Shum Wai Production Manager Jeng Shing-Miu Art Director/Costume Designer Buboy Tan Lighting Paul Yip Pak-Ying Presenter Woo Man-On, Ng Ming-Choi Props Elson Ho Wai-Keung Assistant Action Directors Hon Chun, Chow Gam-Kong

Philippines Crew Alex Austero, Orly Centeno, Renato Gracilla, Teddy "Tsiu"/Chiu, James Gaines, Eduardo Cabrales, Jany Chua, Jessie Manaloto, Felix Calderon, Maning Sta Maria, Princ Atelagos, Cinilo Lim Pim

Cast Yuen Biao (Li Chin Tang), Cynthia Khan (Captain Yiang), Waise Lee [Chi-Hung] (Wai), Monsour Del Rosario (Major Sandos), Yuen Wah (Mainland drug seller), Billy Chow [Bei-Lei] (Leader of counterfeiter gang), Tam Suk-Mooi (Yu Yung Chi), Jerry Bailey (Mr Ramos), Peter Chan Lung (Mainland drug buyer), Shum Wai (Mr Wu), Wong Ngok-Wa, Lam Wai (Hong Kong official), Alex Man Chi-Leung (Officer Wan), Leung Shun-Yin (Wan's mother), Alan Chui Chung-San (Peter Wu), [uncredited] James Gaines Jr (James), Teddy Chiu

Three high-octane cops--an unorthodox one from Hong Kong, a straitlaced one from the Mainland, and one from the Philippines--join forces to demolish an insidious counterfeiting ring. Cops-and-robbers action fare taken to its most gleefully bullet-ridden extreme.

Cynthia Khan (presumably "Tough Beauty") and Yuen Biao (presumably "The Sloppy Slop") do their take on "Police Story 3", masquerading as unsavories and busting some bad guys out of jail to win their trust. After succesfully infiltrating the evil gang, they must resort to some oft-wacky techniques to protect their true identities...

Phil Mills' review from the Far East Films website:

Mainland Officer Yiang (Khan) is on the tale of Wai (Lee), a high profile leader of a money counterfeiting scheme. Annoyingly, he persistently evades the long arm of the law due to his men's unfathomable loyalty to the cause but the Police are handed a loophole when it turns out that his wife is currently in prison in the Philippines. Yiang goes undercover to befriend her in the hope that it will lead her to Wai and during her time inside she is given a contact by the name of Li (Biao), a Hong Kong policeman who poses as her husband to keep up the facade. When Li helps to free the two friends all goes according to plan and the undercovers become members of Wai's gang, running various errands for him whilst supposedly hiding from the police. When it becomes apparent that there is a man behind the man, the two officers must use all their wits to avoid revealing their identities and try to bring the entire ring down.

The first thing that is instantly noticeable about this bizarrely titled 'Police Story 3' imitation is that this is low budget film making of the highest order. Film quality is poor and scripting is minimal, providing a springboard for a set of action sequences that will hopefully allow the film to capitalise on current box office successes. Established talent in the form of Biao and Khan (albeit stars that are down on their luck) are drafted in to bring recognisable faces to the charade but even their combined talent cannot help to make the story rise into the realms of rational thought. This is not to say it is completely unwatchable, just in a sort of P.S.3 through very clouded glasses type of way.

Never let it be said that a lack of script can mean the film is a total disaster though as the combination of classic action and quality cameos make this a film not to be overlooked. Yuen Biao can never have too much screen time when it comes to kung fu as far as I'm concerned and although he is not exactly tested to the full extent of his ability here, he does provide some noteworthy action moments for this performance. If anything, it's the choreography that lets the production down as the main dosage is simplistic to say the least with very little room for the extravagant. There is however an attempt to mix it up a little with a few acrobatic tricks thrown in along with slow motion gunplay that pops up now and again to impressive effect. Billy Chow is most likely the cream of the crop as he gets an extended appearance as the final opponent and it's worth the wait as he unleashes his powerful bootwork that compliments a satisfactory amount of martial artistry.

'Tough Beauty And The Sloppy Slop' has it roots firmly set in the Hong Kong style of film making that emerged from the 1980's. Who needs a huge budget or a masterful script when you can put together a fun action movie with some over-the-top fights accompanied by a little slap stick comedy. Despite the cash-in elements taken from other movies of this kind, it still provides enough entertainment to make it stand out and with a little more money and thought it could have become a classic of the genre.

Review from the Chop Sockey Cinema website:

A multi-national gang headed by Mr. Wei (Waise Lee) and his boss (Billy Chow) and is using counterfeit money produced in the Philippines to buy and traffic them in mainland China and Hong Kong. In a police co-operation, Captain Yiang (Cynthia Khan) from mainland China is sent to the Philippines to join undercover Hong Kong cop Li Chin Tang (Yuen Biao) and Phillipino cop Major Sandos (Monsour Del Rosario) to solve the case. Together they must defeat hordes of gun-totting, martially inclined baddies, all while comedically trying to stay undercover.

This 80's styled mid-90's movie of an interesting title pairs martial arts and acrobatic phenom Yuen Biao with Cynthia Khan (In The Line Of Duty IV) under the direction of Biao's former Peking Opera classmate Yuen Bun. It's usually shrugged off as another semi-decent Supercop rip-off, and for good reason - it's just that. From the basic low-budget shootout opening, it's apparent that this Phillipino production will linger in mediocrity for the remainder of its duration, only made watchable by the saving graces of its two stars (referring to Yuen Biao and Monsour Del Rosario) and a superb villain, veteran Billy Chow (even though he only gets minutes of screen time and the one finale fight).

The fighting is fairly average. Choreography is basic kickboxing (80's style) and has enough of power and speed to mildy satisfy the taste for violence, but all of the fights are too short, and the camerawork isn't good enough to capture the action well. The fighting lacks energy and is slow way too often (for the exception of Yuen Biao, Billy Chow, and Monsour Del Rosario). Although most of the fighting appears to be tight, it's easy to spot off-timing reactions everywhere. The first martial arts fight is very brief, Cynthia Khan fighting Yuen Wah, and ends with Wah's double crashing through a scaffold. Looks very painful. Good end to a bad fight. The stunts would all be half-decent if not for the constant cutting (sometimes absolutely ridiculous like Yuen Wah and Cynthia Khan jumping off of a 3-story roof and landing on their feet), close-ups, and overall cheapness present in virtually all of them.

Phillipino Olympic Tae Kwon Do master and World Champion Monsour Del Rosario steals the show in whatever scene he's in offering some of the best Philipinno movie fighting ever (although only seconds of it are featured here). Had the fights been longer, and with better camerawork and stunts, this movie could have really been something with such talent.

The film wisely relies on comedy to carry through the plot in moment devoid of action, but comes across uninspired, and offers little to enhance the viewing experience. The chemistry between Yuen Biao and Cynthia Khan is good enough to keep viewers from being bored, but there are too few jokes of too little comedic value. Khan is slow and unconvincing in the fighting bits, but she looks good so that's forgivable, whereas Biao is noticeably kicked back instead of kicking bad guys. When he's taking part in the action, it's of course to his standard, but that's not much in terms of quantity.

The finale is definitely worth the wait, and is climatic enough. Rising tension explodes in a raging gun battle featuring some good (but short) martial arts showdowns. The automatic weapons are put to good use in the best action of the movie, and the fights are very well done here as well. Khan is at her best in the 2-on-1 face-off against Billy Chow with Yuen Biao. Hands down the best and longest fight in the movie, but Chow and Biao are capable of better. Fast, crisp kickboxing, great falls and stunts. Fantastic 4-star fight (minus the ending) that is worth watching even if the rest of the movie isn't.

Tough Beauty And The Sloppy Slop also featured a load of Hong Kong stars in cameos, but with such a basic film, it doesn't really add much. It's a mediocre attempt, but hey, you can't blame them for trying. Martial arts action movies were on the decline, and if the Phillipinnes were the only place to get it done, then why not - it's better than nothing. It will take more than the casual fan to enjoy the whole thing however.

Danton's review from the Hong Kong Movie Database:

This B-movie shot in the Philippines plays like a throwback to the kind of cheap action films that studios like D&B Films churned out in the late Eighties. Starring Cynthia Khan and Yuen Biao, as well as Waise Lee as the villain (along with Billy Chow and Yuen Wah), it depicts the story of Khan and Yuen going undercover to infiltrate a money-forging, drug-smuggling crime syndicate. While doing so, they not surprisingly are given ample opportunity to put on a display of their Martial Arts skills. In fact, much of the story is really just filler material designed to bridge the time between the various shoot-outs and fisticuffs.

There's not much originality here, nor any great acting or story to speak of. Which is not necessarily a bad thing: the flick never tries to be more than a brisk, generic, action-filled time-waster, along with some banter between the two stars that is driven primarily by Cynthia's well-established prudishness. If you're in the mood for some mindless action fun, this movie certainly delivers, especially in the final explosive showdown with Billy Chow.

Not as good as the better known films in this genre, but I'd still give it a marginal recommendation.

Lethal Panther 2 (1993)

HONG KONG CREDITS: 1993 – Lethal Panther 2 (Golden Kay International/Harvest International/My Way Film Co)

[Released on German DVD as “Lethal Dragon”, on UK VHS as “Lethal Panther”, and elsewhere (unconfirmed) as “Blood And Guts”]

Director Philip Ko [other sources list Cindy Chow Fung, and Philip Ko as “action director” only] Producer Ricky Wong Ga-Kui Presenter Jeffrey Cheung Kai-Ping

Cast “Cynthia Luster”/Yukari Ôshima, Monsour Del Rosario, Philip Ko, Sharon Kwok [Sau-Wan], Edu Manzano

PHILIPPINES CREDITS: 1993 - Magkasangga Sa Batas/“Partners In Law” (Harvest International Films Corp/Golden Kay International Films Corp)

[Philippines release date 2nd February 1993]

Directors Philip Ko, Erwin T. Lanado Screenplay/Associate Director Erwin T. Lanado Producer Luis Sy Executive Producer Jose Yu Cinematography Peter Li, Eduardo "Baby" Cabrales Music Jaime Fabregas Theme Song Singer Chad Borja Lyrics Jojo Villalva Editors Tony Sy, Philip Ko, Ever Ramos Sound Supervisor Gaudencio Barredo Sound Effects Rudy Cabrales, Jun Cabrales Production Manager Jess Baruelo General Manager Roger Gonzales Post-Production Manager Bong Lansangan Assistant Directors Larry Santos, Cindy Chaou Production Designers Kiddy Li, Lito Estacio Stunt Directors Philip Ko & his Stunt Group Stunt Coordinator Jerry Corpuz Special Effects Tikboy Sto. Domingo Makeup Artist Gloria Vidallion Wardrobe Juliet Tata, Leni Visaya, Max dela Cruz Script Supervisor Larry Santos Assistant Editors Richard Aning, Orland Brien Dubbing Supervisor James dela Rosa Post-Production Coordinator Antonio Benavidez Post-Production Assistant Tochie Tamone Propsmen Max Paglinawan, Romy Setmen Roy Amaranto, Allan Parian Looper Resty Brien Sound Technicians Elmer Torrena, Ondy Valleso, Alex Rima, Danny Lorilla, Danny Navarez, Winston Lope, Felipe Vera, Peter Emerencia, Roger Bernardino Stills Wilmore Baruelo, Oscar Baruelo Gaffers Antonio Cabrales, Man Keung Schedule Master Renato Gracilla Field Cashier Orly Centeno Titles/Opticals Rey Erestain Layout Artist Pete Manansala Property Custodians Noel Dayandante, Joel Dayandante Catering Nene Lopez & Co Drivers Bernardo "Ginaw" Dagoy, Boy Labo, Eddie Baylon, Albert Utility Men Rey, Lando Publicity/Promotions Alfie Lorenzo, Billy Balbastro, Oskee Salazar Company PRO Mar Munoz Cay

Cast Edu Manzano, "Cynthia Luster"/Yukari Ôshima, Gabriel Romulo, Shiela Ysrael, Rachel Lobangco, Charlie Davao, Lovely Rivero, King Gutierrez, Johnny Wilson, Stella Mari, Edwin Reyes, Marita Zobel, Monsour Del Rosario, Lani Lobangco, Boy Fernandez, Telly Babasa, Naty Santiago, Louie Katana, Paolo Conti, Jerry Corpuz, Perry De Guzman, Al Nanca, Greg Lucero, Blandino, Delfinger, Ronnie Francisco, Lito Martinez, Jun dela Paz, Rene Pascual, Commando Stuntmen, Thunder Stuntmen, SOS Daredevils, Nonong Talbo, Maxie Alvarez, Roger Santos [other sources also list Philip Ko, Sharon Kwok, Johnathan Palmer]

Named Lethal Panther for its UK release since the actual first, unrelated film was blessed with Deadly China Dolls, this contains precious little Cantonese speaking performers as leads since the Philippines was used as a location. Phillip Ko appears briefly and choreographs the action and while quick-cut editing is an issue, this is unusually strong, acrobatic gunplay coming from him. The team for once channels the need for excess and creativity so above average for a Ko Fei production it definitely is, with Yukari Oshima responding dependently. Watch out for a brief but obviously Bullet In The Head inspired car finale. Drama in between is just basic framework for mentioned action aspect but we do get to the fair goodies within relatively short periods of time.

Review from the Yukari Oshima website:

Yukari leads an Interpol/NBI investigation of a weapons smuggling organization with ties to Japan, but operating in the Philippines. “Albert” is a macho Manila detective whose wife was killed by the gang. Philip Ko briefly appears as a gang member who is killed by the NBI team during an attempted kidnapping. After his partner and a bystander are killed, Albert takes a surviving witness to his mother’s country home. The location is betrayed and the homestead attacked.

Albert and Yukari then confront the gang at their hideout. While some of the fight scenes are spoiled by wire work, other sequences are better than average for Filipino action movies. The final fight is quite well done, but would have been even better had they left out the wires. The Cantonese version of this movie appears to have the most natural dialog and script, with a soundtrack apparently inspired by “Terminator.”

Review from HK Film:

Before the juggernaut of Jurassic Park de-railed the local HK movie industry (or, perhaps more accurately, put it off course) by becoming the all-time box office champ, HK studios were producing a record number of movies per year. To take a quote from Tsui Hark about Wong Jing's movies, most of these were "cheap, fast and no good," and Lethal Panther 2 is a good example. This cheapie (shot in the Philippines) is so derivative of other movies that it copies stuff from them wholesale, such as music from The Terminator and a "car joust" at the end ala Bullet in the Head. It doesn't really help matters that the film is edited so badly that it started giving me a headache about halfway through.

The story has Yukari as an Interpol agent who comes to the Philipines in search of some Japanese terrorists…and that's about it. There's the usual attempts at humor and romance, but they all fall flat, as does most of the script -- which really hampers the movie as a whole. And, as per usual for most of Yukari's films during this period, the emphasis here is really not on Yukari, but rather on a two-bit actor trying to make a name for themselves; this time it's a low-rent gweilo who makes Jeff Speakman look like a tough guy. Major Yukari fans might still want to give this one a look, since the role is a bit different for her (she actually smiles -- and not in an evil way -- during the movie) and it's one of the few times she's used wires onscreen.

Review from the Kung Fu Cinema forum:

Oh Philip, how could you? Well, he could, and he did...many times over. One cheap-ass, mindless, uninspired Filipino flick after another. And this one is no exception.

It really pains me that the once mighty Philip Ko Fei, a name that to me use to mean quality, chose this path for himself. I also feel bad for poor Yukari Oshima, who he dragged through more B-movie schlock than I care to remember. And I doubt this would have happened had the two not been an item at this time. But I guess "the Osh" was just standing by her man, and I admire that.

This movie is as about as cheap as it gets. Well, maybe not, but it's pretty damn cheap. Philip, Yukari, and Sharon Kwok are the only known actors in the entire movie. The rest (including the male lead) are just Filipino no-names who look like they just stepped on the set in whatever clothes they were wearing, and whose sole motivation seems to be the paycheck at the end of the day. Forget the story, forget the characters. At this point, Philip had just stopped caring, so you don't have to either.

But at least the action delivers, right? Wrong! Yukari was one of the best female screen fighters of all time, and I love that little snaggletoothed Japanese tomboy to death. But not even she could save this clunker. There are odd moments of halfway-decent choreo. But for the most part, it is just a messy mix of awkward, acrobatic gunplay, retarded use of slo-mo, poorly edited fight scenes, and wonky wirework. What a waste.

But the silver lining here is the final showdown, which is pretty damn awesome! Actually, no, it's not, I'm lying. It's just more of the same crap, set to the theme from "The Terminator" and complete with a blatant rip-off of the car jousting battle from "Bullet In The Head". And they couldn't even get that right.

To sum up, this movie is piss poor, and a complete and utter waste of time. I wouldn't even recommend this for Yukari completists, 'cause this would be a shitstain on any movie collection; and I will in fact go and throw out my copy right now.

CaptainAmerica's review from the Hong Kong Film Database:

Let me get the story synopsis out of the way: an international criminal syndicate (two of whom are Phillip Ko and Ronnie Ricketts) is executing a vendetta against a Phillipines NBI officer who proves to be a thorn in their side. A Japanese Interpol officer (Yukari Oshima) and two HK detectives (one of them Sharon Kwok) join the Filipino officer to stop the bad guys. Along the way, a local lady becomes a witness to (and nearly gets killed by) the bad guys. Oh, by the way: one of the HK cops is a criminal plant. (Hint: it ain't Sharon!) Things eventually explode as the villains track down the good guys...and then the cops counterattack. Pretty much paint-by-numbers storytelling.

Unfortunately, it sounds better than it actually is. It's an all-around wasted opportunity by some genuine talent. The editing is for crap (I'd use a few expletives to better describe the editing, but I'll offend someone) and the music is pure second-hand (some of it you'll remember from a few other HK films and even THE TERMINATOR!). The action scenes aren't very well done; there's actual wirework involved in more than a few scenes. That's right: wirework. Now if it had a fraction of the quality SFX you'd see in a Yuen Woo Ping movie, that could be forgiven...but it gets so atrocious I actually winced at the execution. Bad movie! BAD MOVIE!

On the plus side: you have Yukari Oshima, Sharon Kwok, and I wish I knew the name of the actress who played the witness. They display their natural charisma (and they have a ton of it!), but their characters are so underdeveloped you can tell they had no choice but to go through the motions just to get paid. (You've guessed correctly if this is one of those films where Yukari is relegated to a one-dimensional avenger.) Ronnie Ricketts (bad guy number one in the movie) does the appropriate scenery-chewing, but that's all that can be said; Phillip Ko isn't around long enough to do anything but look menacing! Yukari has a few fights and gunbattles (especially at the end) but this is where some of that damn wirework comes into play. Someone -- ANYONE -- should have told the director that none of that crap was necessary! Sharon, unfortunately, doesn't get to do much except look gorgeous and tough (each when appropriate) and shoot a lot.

For Yukari Oshima fans and Sharon Kwok fans only. (It isn't a total waste of 90 minutes...)

When Eagles Strike (2003)

2003 - When Eagles Strike (Concorde-New Horizons Corp/Premiere Productions)

[Released in the Philippines as “Operation Balikatan”]

Director/Producer Cirio H. Santiago Screenplay Michael Kinney Executive Producer Roger Corman Associate Producer Sarah Esberg Cinematography Jun Daleways, Ric Remington Music Nonong Buencamino Editor Roy Stark Production Manager “J.M.”/Jose Mari Avellana Unit Director Bobby Santiago Production Manager Jun Cleofas Assistant Director Robert Rivera Assistants to the Producer Joe Zucchero, Al Gomez Art Director Manny Samaniego 2nd Unit Cameraman Pablo Bautista Assistant Camera Robert Dalawis 2nd Assistant Camera Proceso Lazaro 3rd Assistant Camera Constantino Medes Gaffer Hermogenes Romulo Production Cashier Ma. Fe A. Balderama Production Accountants Armando Lacsamana, Malotte San Juan Script Supervisor Nelia Villaflores Production Nurse Jowana Bautista Production Secretary Baby de Leon Production Assistant Abigail Patacsil Field Soundman Jojo Jacinto Special Effects Rolando Salem Fight Instructor Ronald Asinas Assistant Fight Instructors Manny Samson, Renato Morado, Larry Correa Head Makeup Teresa Villaflor Assistant Makeup Nita Camantigue Legman Jojo Basco Armorers Rolly Sto. Domingo, Tex Molinyawe Meal Checker Al Abendano Stills Nilo Odiaman Wardrobe Head Joey Tajanlangit Wardrobe Assistants Gloria Garcia, Juvy Jorolan, Ronnie Bilinario Set Dressers Erning Delina, Roland Dionisio Utility Ambo Lastimoso, Ogie Delina, Allan Abedano, Paul Forbes Film Loader Rommel Santos Clapper Rey Remias Head Electrician Tony Cruz Assistant Electrician Albert Cabiad Crew Rolando Ramoso, Jonathan Nicolas Dolly Crew Dencio Frilles, Jimmy Cruz Grip Jojo Abedano Cineforce Unit Manager Delfin Betis Caterer Lapid Catering Service Drivers Willer Bulac, Cel Fernandez, Rey Mahinay, Richard Gallega, Bello Hagtusan, Jaime Cleofas Post Production Manager Jun “Cleopas”/Cleofas Post-Production Coordinator Mario Rapinan Special Sound Effects Bert de Santos, Steve Dava Assistant Editors Ben Tala, Erwin Tala, Edmund Tugbo Sound Mixer Neel Bruan Title Design Rolly Santiago

LOS ANGELES CREW Director Gwyneth Gibby Cinematography Henry Crum 1st Assistant Director Brian Batkin Key Grip Sunny Lee Gaffer Phil Miller Best Boy Grips Brian Christie, Kelly Price First AC Thomas Spingola 2nd AC David Lincoln Production Sound Mixer Josh Steinberg Boom Operator Mycel Stokes Script Supervisor Matt Clements Cosume Designer E. Dee Biddlecome Makeup/Special Effects Karrieanne Heisner Production Assistants Matt Conrad, Mark Messick, Witney Seibold Unit Production Manager Sarah Esberg

Cast Christian Boeving (Andrew), Nate Adams (Darren), Davee Youngblood (Tyler), Stacy Keach (General Thurmond), Jesse Vint (CIA Chief Spencer), Eddie Garcia (General Espino), Rey Malonzo (Rodrigo), Monsour Del Rosario (Ahmed), Jess Lapid Jr (Salek), Archie Adamos (Mag), Jose Mari Avellana (Ibrahim), Carlo Maceda (Dima), Nigel Hogge (Senator Barnes), Joe Zucchero (Greg), Ernie Zarate (Ramiro), James [Gregory] Paolleli (Louis), [uncredited] Patricia Javier (Teresa), “Santi”/Sanit Larrauri (Gus), Mikka Avellana (Jennifer), Robert Rivera (Killer on Motrobike), Jenor Zapanta (Anna), Orlando “Alan”/Estrada (Isagani "POW"), Brian Katkin (Military Inteligence Commander), Mel Lewis (Lieutenant Herbert)

Scott Weinberg’s review from the E Film Critic website:

One might be tempted to classify this movie as "ripped from the headlines" when in fact "ripped from the trash heap" would be an infinitely more accurate assessment.

Hoping to use our current state of warfare as a hot-button issue, When Eagles Strike (also known as Operation Balikatan) is just about one of the most laughably inept war movies ever produced.

Stacy Keach (the only recognizable actor in evidence and the one who looks the most humiliated about it) leads a gang of gung-ho U.S. soldiers who have to rescue a Senator who's been taken as a POW by evil Iranians...or Iraqis. As far as this movie's concerned, they're just "evil brown people" lined up to be mowed down in an endless series of Machine Gun Moments.

Words like "Al Qaeda", "Taliban" and "Bin Laden" are strewn throughout the bargain-basement banality in an effort to make the proceedings feel topical and...well, interesting. These attempts are constantly thwarted by the atrociously nonsensical dialogue, the uproariously amateurish acting performances and a meandering plot narrative that can best be described as...retarded.

And shock of all shocks: the DVD comes courtesy of Roger Corman's "New Concorde" schlock-house. Taken as a movie worthy of the Mystery Science Theater treatment (get a few drunk, chatty friends and When Eagles Strike is a certifiable hoot) you might find something of entertainment value within.

If, however, you're looking for a solid war movie, just keep on walkin'.

Bloodfist 2050 (2005)

2005 - Bloodfist 2050 (New Concord/The Pacific Trust/Premiere Productions)

[Ninth in Concord's "Bloodfist" series, sometimes listed as "Bloodfist IX]

Director/Producer “Leonard Hermes”/Cirio H. Santiago Screenplay Michael Henry Carter Executive Producer [uncredited] Roger Corman Cinematography “Richard”/Ricardo Remias, “Jim”/Leodegario Dalawis Jr Music Abby Clutario, Francis de Veyra [IMDB credits Mel Lewis] Editors Lissa Banaag, Joseph Zucchero Production Design “Joe”/Jose Mari Avellana Sound Engineer Arnold Reodica 2nd Unit Director Bobby Santiago Assistant to the Producer Joseph Zucchero Unit Manager Arleen “Al” Gomez Assistant Director Glenn Parian Script Supervisor Nelia Garcia-Flores Bookkeeper Manding Lacsamana Field Cashier Ma. Fe Bladerma Production Secretary Babes De Leon In-Charge of External Affairs Ricky Tolentino Stills Nilo Odiaman Schedule Master Ramon “Menodza”/Mendoza Production Assistant Bembel Ubaldo [IMDB lists Amy Searles] Production Nurse Apple Pelaez Fight Directors Ronald Asinas, Popeye Art Director Alan Leynes Costume Designer Noel Ribaya Wardrobe Assistants Edwin Mendoza, Joey Tajanlangit, Juvy Jorolan Makeup Artist Teresa Mercader Assistant Makeup Artist Nita Props & Setting Ben Delina, Roberto Carding Garcia Catering Nene Lopez Vehicle Rentals Efren Tibay Drivers Tex Molinyawe, Dario Utility Al Abendano Assistant AVID Editor Beng Bandong ADR Editors Addiss Tabong, Arnel Francia, Bebet Casas, Arnel Labayo, Aurel Claro Bilbao, Ric Loresto, Ross Diaz SFX & Foley Editors Addiss Tabong, Arnold Reodica, Arnel Francia, Bebet Casas, Arnel Labayo, Aurel Claro Bilbao, Ric Loresto, Ross Diaz Assistant Film Editors Anabel Magalona, Marisol Quindoyos, Evalyn Canapi Telecine Operators Ely Carangian, Roberto Nicholas Dailies Editor Jun de Guzman Post-Production Producers Mitch Nedia, Rachel Manalac, Ann Rey Bajar Laboratory Negative Processing Supervisor Jun Enriquez Laboratory Technician Liason Rick Hawthorne Film Specialist Elmer Buencamino Technical Operations Engineers Frank Chico, Nar Umali, Uriah Pypuekeng, Jun Salazar, Daye Moralita Traffic Co-Ordinators Hazel de Leon, Tanya Alda Utility Roy Tabao, Juan Nalumen, Bong Domingo [IMBD also lists Mark Messick as Sound Re-Recording Mixer]

Cast Matt Mullins (Alex Danko), Joe Sabatino (Detective Marino/Slick), Glenn Meadows (Randy Boikanovich), Beverly Lynne (Nadia Boikanovich), “Joe”/Jose Mari Avellana (MC), Monsour Del Rosario (Great Ahmed Kahn), “Jim”/James Gregory Paolleli (Johnny Danko), Joseph Zucchero (Detective Lee), Renee Rogoff (Molly), Jim Moss (Derelict), Mike Cassey (Blind man), Archie Adamos (Drug Dealer), Bon Vibar (Accountant), Cris Brewster (Bruegger), Alih Leal (Freezer Gomez), Jun Collao (Zulu Jack), “Ed”/Eduardo Torralba (Krag), Alex Cunanan (Sumo Eddie), Ronald Bing Waoel (Kemal Kevitch), Manny Distor (Waheed Kono), Goswill Emenike (Billy Rankin), Nash Espinosa (Monster), Jorge Canias (The Snake), Onchie Dela Cruz (Beast), Cris Aguilar (Killer Kane), Rey Comea (Manuu), Nico Dhaenen (Terminator), Boy Garcia (Ken GI), Robert Escutin (Red Demon), [uncredited] Philip Anthony

Article from Monsour Del Rosario’s website:

Bloodfist 2050 is a story about vengeance. Set in Los Angeles, CA in the year 2050, it is a story about Laker Powers (Matt Mullins) vying for the revenge of the death of his younger brother. He does so by participating in a no-rules fighting circuit where he believes he'll get clues which will lead him to the murderer.

Former Tae Kwon Do Olympian Monsour Del Rosario plays the contra bida, The Great Ahmed Kahn, another fighter whom Laker suspects is the one responsible for the murder.

Directed by Cirio H. Santiago and line produced by Premiere Entertainment, the entire movie was filmed in the Philippines to achieve the setting of Los Angeles, California after a nuclear bomb attack. Main producers of the film are Concord Films, USA and Roger Corman.

Matt Mullins (www.matthewmullins.com) started martial arts training when he was 10 years old. He grew up in Chicago, USA but is currently living in Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. His previous works include a Discovery Channel special on Extreme Martial Arts.

This is the third collaboration between Monsour and C. H. Santiago. The first two films were Bloodfist 2 and When Eagles Strike. This is also the first time that Monsour is playing the role of an antagonist. He says that some of the benefits that come with playing the role of the “contra bida” are that you can “get away with a lot of things” and you can “do anything you want”.

With this role, there are no limitations when acting and fighting in front of the camera. In the past, when Monsour's roles were those of the hero, he was more limited in his actions.

Other local cast members in Bloodfist 2050 include Bon Vibar, a radio announcer on PIA, Channel 4, who plays the role of an accountant and Director Joe Marie Avellana who plays the part of the announcer during the fights.

Filled with suspense, romance, and lots of action, this movie is sure to have you on the edge of your seats!

Bloodfist 2050 was shown in the Philippines in 2005.

Review from the Internet Movie Database:

Bloodfist 2050 reminds me of the low budget action movies Jean-Claude Van Damme used to make in the late 1980s before he moved to Hollywood and became a total loser. In case of any confusion, I mean that as a compliment. Just like those films, Bloodfist 2050 makes no pretence about its meagre plot or wooden acting, choosing instead to focus its resources on squeezing as much action into the film as possible. The result is one of the most honest and enjoyable straight-to-video (actually, straight-to-TV) action films that I have seen in a while.

The plot is really beside the point but to summarise: Alex visits his brother Johnny, a pit fighter, only to find out that he has been murdered. Alex decides to pursue the murderer with the help of Slick, a police detective. Slick suggests that a pit fighter may be responsible, so naturally he trains Alex to become a fighting machine and enter an upcoming tournament. The same plot has served hundreds of action films over the years, and with good reason - It's the perfect vehicle for almost non-stop violence. The only real twist here is the fact that the movie is set in the future, hence the "2050".

Bloodfist 2050 really doesn't disappoint when it comes to action. From the car chase that begins the movie, to confrontations with street thugs and pit fighters, the action flows constantly. The fights are mostly brutal and the acrobatic skill of the various participants is put to good use. The violence is really only broken up by stripping routines and a sex scene. In fact, the film is surprisingly sleazy. I was not surprised to learn that some of the cast earn their livings making soft core adult movies.

The performances are uniformly bad but they serve their purpose. Matt Mullins makes a decent action hero. He may have the charisma of rotting vegetables but he looks the part and is obviously a skilled martial artist. As the stripper love-interest, Beverly Lynne exposes her breasts competently enough. Joe Sabatino also does reasonably well as Slick, particularly in the film's latter stages.

If you like mindless violence interspersed with gratuitous nudity, then Bloodfist 2050 comes highly recommended.

Marty McKee’s review from his Johnny LaRue’s Crane Shot blog:

Roger Corman. Cirio H. Santiago. Kickboxers. Post-apocalyptic setting. Revenge plot. Tons of violence and nudity. It feels like 1984 all over again. New Concorde's BLOODFIST 2050, released in 2005, nearly a decade since the previous BLOODFIST, is the first of the nine-picture series to not star Don "The Dragon" Wilson.

This time, "five-time world martial arts champion" Matt Mullins steps in to star in a loose remake of the original BLOODFIST. Alex Danko (Mullins) arrives in seedy, futuristic Los Angeles, where his brother was jumped and beaten to death in an alley outside a strip joint. You pretty much know the rest--young kickboxer investigates murder of kickboxing champion brother, goes undercover, usual training sequences, has sex with hot stripper, lots of random fight scenes in and out of the ring. The credits play over a futuristic car chase out of one of director Santiago's '80s ROAD WARRIOR knockoffs, then that's the last we ever see of that part of 2050 society.

Once the credits end and Danko gets to L.A., society seems pretty normal, except there is an inordinately large Filipino population (BLOODFIST 2050 was shot in the Philippines). There is also a surprising amount of nudity in this movie, completely gratuitous, much of it provided by Beverly Lynne as Mullins' blond love interest. A lot of stock footage appears from previous Corman films; I think a pre-silicone Maria Ford appears as a stripper. Lynne and the guy who plays Danko's comic-relief fighter sidekick (Glen Meadows) are married softcore porn stars in real life. And it's good to see Joe Mari Avellana, who acted in the first two BLOODFIST movies (as different characters) still appearing in and wearing several hats in these cheapjack Corman productions (he also designed the crummy sets).