Martial Arts: 82

Directed by Gavin O’Connor, Warrior (2011) is an American sports action film that follows the story of two estranged brothers, played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. As they prepare to enter a mixed martial arts tournament, they must confront their past and mend their relationship. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, melancholy U.S. Marine Thomas ‘Tommy’ Riordan visits his father Paddy Conlon, who has recently returned to his Catholic faith after struggling with alcoholism. During Tommy’s childhood, he had ...

The Raid (2011) is a fast-paced film, written, directed and edited by Gareth Evans. Rama, a rookie member of the Mobile Brigade Corps, joins Sergeant Jaka and Lieutenant Wahyu’s team of 20 men for a mission to capture notorious crime boss Tama Riyadi. This powerful leader runs an apartment block with the help of his lieutenants Andi and Mad Dog, who allow criminals and addicts to reside there under their protection. The team successfully infiltrates the building without detection and begins their search on the first floor, where they encounter and subdue various tenants. Among them is Gofar, a law-abiding resident ...

Directed by David O. Russell, The Fighter (2010) is a biographical sports drama depicting the story of Micky Ward, an American welterweight boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts. Despite being managed by his mother, Alice Ward, and trained by his older half-brother, Dicky Eklund, Micky often finds himself being used as a ‘stepping stone’ for other boxers to defeat on their way up. Unfortunately, Dicky’s former success in the ring against Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978 has been overshadowed by his addiction to crack cocaine. Unaware that the documentary he is being filmed for is not about his ...

Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010) is a delightful animated Christmas special from DreamWorks Animation, directed by Tim Johnson. Po, the lovable panda and Dragon Warrior, is faced with a major challenge when Master Shifu tasks him with organizing the prestigious Winter Feast at the Jade Palace. Despite his enthusiasm for the event, Po longs to spend the holiday with his father Mr. Ping. In an effort to have him cater the feast, Po turns down top chefs from all over China. However, Mr. Ping believes Po is more concerned with his role as the Dragon Warrior and decides to stay at his restaurant to feed those without a place to ...

The American exploitation action film, Machete (2010), was helmed by directors Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis. In the story, Mexican Federal Machete Cortez and his younger partner embark on a rescue mission for a kidnapped girl in Mexico. Tragically, during the operation, Machete’s partner is killed while the girl stabs him in the leg before meeting her own fate. To make matters worse, Machete’s corrupt Chief betrays him to powerful drug lord Rogelio Torrez, who not only kills Machete’s wife but also implies that his daughter may be next. As a ...

Starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone, The Expendables (2010) follows a skilled group of mercenaries, also known as The Expendables, based in New Orleans on their mission to rescue hostages from Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Led by Barney Ross, the team includes skilled individuals such as blade specialist Lee Christmas, martial artist Yin Yang, military veteran Gunner Jensen, weapons specialist Hale Caesar, and demolitions expert Toll Road. During their operation, Gunner causes harm to the pirates but is stopped from taking further violent action by Yang at the advice of the team. As a result of his ...

In the martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid (2010), directed by Harald Zwart, 12-year-old Dre Parker and his widowed mother Sherry move to Beijing due to her job transfer at a car factory. While there, Dre forms a connection with Meiying, a young violinist. However, their budding relationship is hindered by Cheng, a rebellious Kung Fu prodigy whose family is close to Meiying’s. Cheng constantly bullies and attacks Dre as revenge for an incident at the Forbidden City during a school trip. One day, after being viciously beaten by Cheng and his gang in an alleyway, Mr Han steps in to defend Dre. It is revealed ...

Directed by French Tunisian filmmaker Mabrouk el Mechri, JCVD (2008) is a crime drama that follows Jean-Claude Van Damme as a fictionalized version of himself. The former action star finds himself in dire circumstances as his career and family fall apart in his hometown of Brussels, Belgium. Struggling financially and unable to secure acting roles, Van Damme’s personal life also takes a hit when his ex-wife gains the upper hand in a custody battle for their daughter. In search of solace, he returns to Schaerbeek where he is still regarded as a local hero. While ...

Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five (2008) is an American animated short produced by DreamWorks. The film follows Po the Dragon Warrior as he shares the stories of his comrades in arms, the Furious Five, through a mix of computer and 2D animation. At Master Shifu’s request, Po attempts to teach a group of energetic bunny children about Kung Fu beyond just combat, emphasizing its true purpose of personal growth and achievement. Through their individual backstories and key philosophical principles, Po shows how each member of the Furious Five became a skilled Kung Fu master. Mantis. In his youth, Mantis ...

The animated martial arts comedy film, Kung Fu Panda (2008), was created by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. In Ancient China’s Valley of Peace, Po Ping, a giant panda, helps his father at their noodle restaurant. His ultimate dream is to fight alongside the Furious Five – Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis – who reside at the Jade Palace and are trained by Master Shifu, a grumpy red panda. One day, Master Oogway (the wise tortoise who founded kung fu) predicts that Tai Lung (Shifu’s former protégé who is now imprisoned) will escape and attack the Valley in search of the Dragon Scroll – an artifact that ...

Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword (2008) is an animated film that follows the beloved mystery-solving gang as they travel to Tokyo. At a museum of ancient history, Mr. Takagawa and Kenji witness the resurrection of the evil Black Samurai, an ancient warrior whose armor was meant to be displayed in the museum’s newest exhibit. When Daphne receives an invitation to compete in a martial arts tournament at Miss Mirimoto’s prestigious academy, the gang joins her on their adventure. While there, they meet Daphne’s friend Miyumi, who explains the challenges of winning the tournament and being accepted into the school. During her battles, Daphne impresses ...

The American sports drama film, Rocky Balboa (2006), was written, directed by, and starred Sylvester Stallone. The protagonist, now 60 years old and retired from boxing, leads a quiet life as a widower. His wife Adrian passed away four years prior after losing her battle to cancer. Rocky now operates a successful Italian restaurant named after her, where he entertains customers with stories from his past. Alongside coping with his grief over Adrian’s death, Rocky also struggles with his strained relationship with his son Robert – now a moderately successful young corporate lawyer. His brother-in-law and best ...

300 (2006), an American epic historical war action film, is based on the 1998 comic book series of the same name by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. Set in 480 B.C., it tells the story of Leonidas I, from his childhood to kingship, according to Spartan doctrine. The plot begins when a Persian herald arrives at Sparta, demanding ‘earth and water’ as a token of submission to King Xerxes. After being insulted by the herald, Queen Gorgo urges Leonidas to submit. However, he instead throws them both into a bottomless pit. Next, Leonidas visits the Ephors and presents ...

Annapolis (2006), an American drama directed by Justin Lin, follows the story of Jake Huard. After being knocked down in a boxing match, Huard wakes up and heads home where his distant father and employer doubts his potential. Despite this, Lieutenant Commander Burton visits Huard to inform him of his acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. While celebrating at a bar with friends, they introduce him to Ali, who they claim is a prostitute hired as a going-away present. However, Huard’s attempts to seduce Ali fail and he leaves frustrated after saying goodbye to his father. On his first day at ...

Green Street Hooligans (2005) is a British crime drama directed by Lexi Alexander, featuring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam. The story follows Matt Buckner, an American student expelled from Harvard for drug possession. Despite the drugs belonging to his roommate Jeremy, who comes from a prominent family, Matt remains silent and takes $10,000 as payment for taking the blame. With the money, he travels to London to visit his sister Shannon, her husband Steve, and their son Ben. While there, Matt meets Pete, Steve’s ...

Clint Eastwood directs, co-produces, scores, and stars in the American sports drama Million Dollar Baby (2004). Written by Paul Haggis and based on stories from F.X. Toole’s Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner, this film follows the journey of Margaret ‘Maggie’ Fitzgerald, a waitress from the Ozarks who seeks out the guidance of Frankie Dunn, a cantankerous Irish-American trainer at his rundown boxing gym in Los Angeles. Despite initially refusing to train her due to both her gender and ...

Troy (2004) is an epic historical war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by David Benioff. Set in 1250 BC, the film tells the story of King Agamemnon’s quest to unite the Greek kingdoms. The heroic warrior Achilles fights for Agamemnon, despite his disdain for the king’s tyrannical ways. Meanwhile, Prince Hector of Troy and his brother Paris are negotiating a peace treaty with Menelaus, King of Sparta. However, Paris begins an affair with Menelaus’ wife, Queen Helen, and smuggles her aboard his ship as they return home. Hector reluctantly ...

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) is a martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It continues the story of its predecessor, Kill Bill, and features Uma Thurman as the Bride seeking vengeance against the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and their leader Bill. The Bride, who is pregnant, and her partner practice for their upcoming wedding when Bill suddenly appears. As the former lover of the Bride, father of her child, and leader of the Deadly Vipers, he orders his team to eliminate everyone at the rehearsal. Despite being shot in the head by Bill, the Bride survives and vows to get even. Four years later, she ...

Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed the American martial arts film, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003). The leading role of the Bride is played by Uma Thurman, seeking vengeance against Bill and his squad of assassins who attempted to end her life and that of her unborn child. In 1999, the former Deadly Vipers member was preparing for her wedding at a chapel in El Paso, Texas when she was unexpectedly attacked by Bill and his team. Despite being shot and left wounded, she musters the strength to reveal that Bill is the father of her unborn child before losing consciousness. While ...

The American science fiction film Equilibrium (2002), written and directed by Kurt Wimmer, follows the story of survivors of World War III in a totalitarian city-state called Libria. In this city, all forms of human emotion are blamed for causing conflicts, leading to strict bans on anything that can stimulate emotions. Those who disobey these laws are known as Sense Offenders and face a death sentence. The citizens must also take a daily injection of Prozium II, an emotion-suppressing drug. Governed by the Tetragrammaton Council, led by ‘Father’, propaganda is spread through large video screens. The police ...