Martial Arts: 82

Michael Mann’s biographical sports drama film Ali (2001) follows the journey of boxer Cassius Clay Jr. leading up to his first championship match against heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Clay taunts Liston and initially dominates the fight, but midway through he experiences a burning sensation in his eyes, causing him to briefly believe Liston has cheated. With encouragement from trainer/manager Angelo Dundee, Clay regains his vision and ultimately wins the match, becoming the second-youngest heavyweight champion at that time. Along the way, he meets with Malcolm X and is eventually given the name Muhammad Ali ...

Gladiator (2000) is a film set in ancient Rome, directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. In 180 AD, Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius returns home after leading the army to victory against Germanic tribes near Vindobona on the Limes Germanicus. Emperor Marcus Aurelius informs Maximus that his son, Commodus, is not fit to take over as emperor. Instead, he offers Maximus the role of regent in hopes of restoring the Roman ...

The American biographical sports drama film, The Hurricane (1999), was directed and produced by Norman Jewison. It tells the story of Rubin ‘The Hurricane’ Carter, a middleweight boxer wrongfully convicted of a triple murder in Paterson, New Jersey. After spending nearly two decades in prison, his sentence was finally overturned. The film focuses on Carter’s life from 1966 to 1985 as he fights against the unjust conviction. In parallel, we follow the journey of Lesra Martin, an underprivileged Afro-American youth from Brooklyn now living in Toronto. In the 1980s, Lesra becomes intrigued by ...

Play It to the Bone (1999) is an American sports comedy-drama directed and written by Ron Shelton. Close friends Vince Boudreau and Cesar Dominguez, both aging prizefighters, often regretted not having one last chance in the ring. That opportunity unexpectedly presents itself when boxing promoter Joe Domino faces a predicament. The fighters scheduled for his Las Vegas undercard, leading up to heavyweight Mike Tyson’s main event, suddenly pull out. In desperate need of replacements, Vince and Cesar are contacted from Los Angeles. With both willing to step into the ring, Domino decides to pit them against each ...

Inferno (1999) is an American action film directed by John G. Avildsen. The opening scene features a quote about the coyote’s significance in Native American folklore, as Eddie Lomax rides on an Indian motorcycle through the open desert plain known as the Dry Lake. However, his journey takes a quick turn when the motorcycle breaks down and he is left with only his jacket, .45 pistol, and a bottle of tequila. In the midst of drinking alone in the desert, Eddie is surprised by the arrival of his friend Johnny Sixtoes, to whom he had previously sent a postcard announcing his visit. During their conversation, Eddie ...

Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club (1999) tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who struggles with insomnia and dissatisfaction with his job and lifestyle. In search of relief, he turns to support groups, where he realizes that expressing vulnerability helps him rest. However, his attempts are hindered when Marla Singer, also pretending to be someone else, joins the same groups. Unable to maintain his facade or ignore her presence, his insomnia returns. In an effort to regain control and get some sleep, the narrator arranges for them to attend separate sessions and even exchanges contact information with Marla in ...

One Tough Bastard (1996) is an American action thriller film directed by Kurt Wimmer in his feature film debut. It follows Master Sergeant John North, a Soldier with a wife named Darlene and a daughter named Marianne. Tragically, they are both killed in a hostage situation during an arms deal where John also gets shot. He falls into a coma and wakes up 8 weeks later, only to discover that the corrupt FBI agent Karl Savak has placed their killer, Marcus, in a witness protection program. Enraged, John takes matters into his own hands and uncovers a larger conspiracy involving drug kingpin Dexter Kane and stolen military ...

Director Roland Emmerich released Universal Soldier (1992), a military science-fiction action film set during the end of the Vietnam War. After receiving orders to secure a village, American soldier Luc Deveraux discovers that his squad and some villagers have been killed by his mentally unstable comrade Sgt. Andrew Scott. Scott has also taken two children hostage, prompting Deveraux to try and persuade him that the war is over. However, Scott becomes enraged and kills one of the children in front of Deveraux, then demands that he kill the other as a show of loyalty. Deveraux refuses and stops Scott from harming the ...

The Power of One (1992) is a drama directed and edited by John G. Avildsen. It is loosely based on Bryce Courtenay’s book with the same name, published in 1989. The story revolves around Peter Philip Kennith Keith (also known as ‘PK’), born in 1930 on a South African homestead to an Englishwoman who had recently lost her husband. PK received dual education – from his mother in England’s ways and from a Zulu nanny whose son Tonderai was his closest friend. However, their peaceful existence is disrupted when the farm’s cattle succumb to ...

Rocky V (1990), an American sports drama film, is directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. Following his victory over Ivan Drago in Moscow, Rocky experiences mental disabilities from the fight. Upon returning to the United States with his wife Adrian, brother-in-law Paulie, and trainer Tony ‘Duke’ Evers, they are greeted by their now 14-year-old son Robert Jr. At a press conference, boxing promoter George Washington Duke tries to goad Rocky into fighting top-rated challenger Union Cane, but Rocky declines. Back home, they ...

The American martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid Part III (1989), is the third installment in the Karate Kid franchise. After the events of Parts 1 and 2, John Kreese is struggling financially. In search of assistance, he turns to Terry Silver, a former Green Beret who has made a fortune in toxic chemicals. Silver promises to help Kreese rebuild Cobra Kai and enact revenge on Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi. While Kreese takes a vacation in Tahiti, Silver recruits national karate champion Mike Barnes to compete against Daniel in the upcoming All-Valley Tournament. Upon returning from Okinawa, Daniel and Miyagi discover that their apartment ...

The Karate Kid Part II (1986) is an American martial arts drama film written by Robert Mark Kamen and directed by John G. Avildsen. Following their defeat in the 1984 All-Valley Karate Tournament, a furious John Kreese attacks his student, Johnny Lawrence, in the parking lot. Miyagi steps in and nonchalantly disables Kreese before comically tweaking his nose and leaving. Humiliated, Johnny and his friends abandon Kreese and Cobra Kai. Later on, after Daniel’s senior prom, he confides in Miyagi that his girlfriend Ali has left him for a football player at UCLA. Soon ...

Rocky IV (1985) is an American sports drama film starring and directed by Sylvester Stallone. That same year, Russian boxer Ivan Drago arrives in the United States with his wife Ludmilla, an Olympic swimmer, and a team of trainers from the Soviet Union and Cuba. His manager Nicolai Koloff seizes every opportunity to tout Drago’s athletic prowess as a symbol of Soviet dominance. Prompted by both patriotism and a personal drive for validation, former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed challenges Drago to an exhibition match. Though hesitant at first, Rocky agrees to help train Apollo for the fight. Tensions escalate ...

The American martial arts drama film, The Karate Kid (1984), follows the story of 17-year-old Daniel LaRusso and his mother Lucille as they move from Newark, New Jersey to Reseda, Los Angeles. Their apartment’s handyman is a humble Okinawan immigrant named Mr. Miyagi, who quickly becomes a friend to Daniel. At a beach party the next day, Daniel befriends Ali Mills, a high school cheerleader. However, Ali’s ex-boyfriend and top student at the Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny Lawrence, becomes jealous and repeatedly bullies Daniel with the help of his gang members Bobby Brown, Tommy, Jimmy, and Dutch. On Halloween night after a retaliation from Daniel involving water ...

The American sports drama film, Rocky III (1982), was written, directed by, and starred Sylvester Stallone. Five years after defeating Apollo Creed for the world heavyweight championship, Rocky Balboa had successfully defended his title ten times and enjoyed a rise in fame, wealth, and celebrity status. However, his manager Mickey Goldmill became concerned when a rising contender named James ‘Clubber’ Lang caught his attention. During a ceremony to unveil his own statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rocky announced his plan to retire but was interrupted by Lang’s public challenge for the title. ...

Any Which Way You Can (1980), directed by Buddy Van Horn, is an American action comedy film. Philo Beddoe, who previously threw a fight with Tank Murdock, continues to participate in underground bare-knuckle boxing matches two years later. He resides with his family and orangutan Clyde, and ultimately decides to retire from fighting when he realizes he has grown to enjoy the pain. One night at his favorite bar, Philo reunites with his ex-girlfriend Lynn Halsey-Taylor, a country-western singer who apologizes for their past issues. The two rekindle their relationship and move in together. The Black Widows biker gang, who ...

Raging Bull (1980), a biographical sports drama directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the 1970 memoir Raging Bull: My Story by former middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta. As a young and promising boxer in 1941, Jake experiences his first defeat against Jimmy Reeves, prompting his brother Joey to discuss a potential shot at the middleweight title through their Mafia connection Salvy Batts. Despite repeated offers, Jake refuses the Mafia’s assistance and remains determined to win the championship on his own terms. Later on, he meets Vickie, a ...

The sports drama film, Rocky II (1979), was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also starred in the movie. On New Year’s Day of 1976, world heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed had defended his title against Rocky Balboa in a split decision. Both men were taken to the same hospital where, despite their previous agreement, Apollo challenged Rocky once again that night. He wanted to prove that Rocky’s ability to go the distance with him was just a fluke. However, Rocky chose to decline the rematch and retire from professional boxing. His girlfriend, Adrian, supported this decision as did his ...

Every Which Way but Loose (1978), an American action comedy film released by Warner Bros., features Clint Eastwood in a unique comedic role. Philo Beddoe is a truck driver residing in the San Fernando Valley, sharing a small home with an orangutan named Clyde behind his brother and mother’s house. Philo earns extra money as a bare-knuckle fighter and is often compared to renowned boxer Tank Murdock. One evening at the Palomino Club, a local honky-tonk, Philo becomes enamored with Lynn Halsey-Taylor, an aspiring country singer. However, their seemingly successful relationship takes a turn when Lynn and her camper ...

Paradise Alley (1978) is an American sports drama film featuring Sylvester Stallone as the writer, director, and lead actor. The Carboni brothers, Cosmo and Lenny, see potential for success in their younger brother Victor. They encourage him to enter the world of wrestling under the name Kid Salami. With Cosmo as his manager and Lenny as his promoter, they hope to earn enough money for all three of them to leave Hell’s Kitchen behind. Victor’s motivation? To marry his girlfriend from Asian descent and start a life on a houseboat in New Jersey. Each brother has their own unique personality; Cosmo is always on ...