The Princess Bride (1987) remains a landmark film for its story, humor, and its remarkable depiction of swordsmanship. The duels, guided by Bob Anderson’s masterful choreography, were brought to life through the dedication of Mandy Patinkin and Cary Elwes. The sword sequences demonstrate timing, strategy, and technique that resonate deeply from a martial arts perspective. The blend of authenticity and cinematic flair elevates the film beyond mere entertainment, and instead offers a study in...| Martial Journal
Spring is the time of year for renewal and recommitment. We see this in nature as the trees awaken and flowers bloom. We can follow the lessons from nature and use this season to renew good habits and recommit to our training. Shaolin, a 2011 Hong Kong-Chinese film, echoes these teachings and demonstrates the importance of new beginnings and committing to the teachings of martial morality. I like this movie for many reasons. As someone who practices Chinese martial arts, I love to s...| Martial Journal
Life After Fighting is a 2024 martial arts film set in modern day Australia. I do tend to select films that are set within a historical context or are based on competitions – tournaments, cage fights, etc. – so this film is a little different from what I usually watch. However, this film stars Australian martial artists and actors, and it is set in Australia. This provides a unique contribution in and of itself to the martial arts film genre. It was when I saw that it was written, directe...| Martial Journal
