The Martial Arts Mania Podcast

We’re FINALLY back, and BADder than ever, with BAD CITY! Maybe our favorite martial arts film of 2023 (and definitely the most underrated), this tale of Yakuza vs cops has all the makings of an action classic. Gritty, grizzled detectives who punch and kick their way to justice? Check✅ Evil crime lords who savagely kill anyone in their way? Check✅ Bone crunching fight scenes including a 15+ minut...

We’ve been absent extra long again, but we are back with a super fun episode where we review the over the top, zany, hard-hitting, Japanese action extravaganza- Bushido Man! Following wandering warrior Toramaru, a student of “the Cosmic Way”, on his journey to become the best fighter in Japan, this film is a showcase for some PHENOMENAL martial arts sequences, utilizing a multitude of different st...

Surprise episode drop! That’s right, we are a few days ahead of schedule, because we have a special Bruce Lee themed episode in honor of the Little Dragon’s birthday! This time around, we are examining his revenge driven Kung Fu masterpiece- ‘Fist of Fury’! His second feature film after his return to Hong Kong in the early 70’s, ‘Fist of Fury’ focuses on the fictional character of Chen Zhen, as he...

It’s been a long time in the making, but this week we finally drop our long awaited ‘Top 5 Martial Arts Movie Soundtracks’ episode! This was a fun, but EXTREMELY difficult episode for us as there are SO MANY great films that could have made this list. To narrow it down to 5 was no easy task, and not to brag, but I think we did a pretty darn good job! Listen in as we discuss our entries, why we tho...

It’s been a bit crazy for us here at the Martial Arts Mania Podcast, and we apologize about missing last week, but we’re back with another great episode! We are doing our 5th edition of our fan favorite “Kung Fu Comfort Films”! Listen in as we discuss some of our absolute favorite martial arts films that we go back to again and again, whether we want to sit down and enjoy a stellar film, or just h...

It’s that time of year again, and therefore we are proud to present our 2nd annual spooky Halloween themed martial arts cinema episode! This year, we are talking about the crème de la crème of horror infused martial arts cinema, and one of the greatest comic book movies to ever grace the silver screen… BLADE! Starring the one and only Wesley Snipes, and featuring the likes of Stephen Dorff, Kris K...

In honor of the passing of martial arts movie legend Mang Hoi- director, stuntman, actor, and fight choreographer extraordinaire, we are taking a look at his one true solo starring role, ‘The Buddha Assassinator’! Aside from having one of the coolest movie titles of all time, this film is also an extremely solid entry in the vast library of classic Kung Fu cinema. With a great supporting role from...

We are a bit late this week, but NEW EPISODE ALERT! This time around, we are reviewing the balls to the wall, absolutely insane, fanatical stunt showcase that is ‘Bangkok Knockout’. Helmed by Thai action cinema legend Panna Rittikrai, and featuring his team of stunt performers, this is one of the hardest hitting action spectacles of the last 15 years. Listen in as we break down the movie, what we...

Bruce Lee- the Dragon. Considered by many to be the greatest martial artist of all time… one of the most iconic individuals of the 20th century… one in a million, that could never be replicated… but that doesn’t mean people weren’t going to try! That’s right, this week we are reviewing the INCREDIBLE documentary ‘Enter the Clones of Bruce’, which explores the wonderfully weird, wacky and absolutel...

It’s the ancient and the contemporary. The traditional and the modern. The ultimate representation of good vs. evil. When two warriors from the Ming dynasty are catapulted 300 years into the future- one a righteous man of honor, the other a sociopathic predator- they must navigate a present day Hong Kong, while simultaneously trying to find their way back to the past. With a stoic leading man perf...

This week in celebration of our SUPER 100th episode, we are taking a look at one of the greatest action movie sequels of all time, ‘Supercop’! The third entry in Jackie Chan’s Police Story series, this time around, we see Hong Kong police detective Chan Ka-Kui (Kevin Chan) go undercover to infiltrate a notorious drug lord’s operation, and bring his deadly empire to a halt! Starting off in mainland...

A tough as nails Hong Kong detective. A hard-boiled cop from Japan. And 4 blood brothers driven by a vow of vengeance. When their paths cross, the fists, bullets, and blood bring a reign of terror across Hong Kong! This week we are discussing the high-octane, absolutely brilliant, Hong Kong action classic, ‘Royal Warriors’. Starring the one and only Michelle Yeoh, and featuring the equally as tale...

This week Gavin and I are taking a look at the Korean action thriller ‘The Roundup’ starring the ultimate macho man of cinema himself, Ma Dong-Seok! Portraying a tough as nails cop with devastating power in his fists, he’ll stop at nothing to get the job done, and make sure the bad guys are brought to Justice! Punching, kicking, and Judo throwing his way through both Vietnam and South Korea, Detec...

Hey everyone! Guess what?! Not only do we have a new episode out where we talk about a kick-ass action movie from 1980’s Japan, but it is also our first episode WITH VIDEO! That’s right, we are finally dipping our toes into the Youtube waters, so keep an eye out on either Thursday or Friday if you want to watch Gavin and I be totally confused and awkward in front of the camera! In the meantime, th...

Van Damme, Mickey Rourke, Rob Shneider, and…. Dennis Rodman?! Need we say more?! That’s right, this week Gavin and I are sharing our epic experience at the New Beverly in which we were treated to a double dose of Tsui Hark directed JCVD action with both ‘Knock Off’ and ‘Double Team’. Listen in as we break down these two absolutely insane, bonkers, and highly entertaining 90’s action flicks, which...

A coming of age drama about four adopted brothers, and the surrogate father who raised them as his own. Their fear of rejection from society, and their father’s haunted past, keep them hidden away from the outside world, though they long for a life of normalcy. With a passion for culture, the arts, and Italian cuisine, they hope to one day be able to experience the joys life has to offer, while be...

New episode alert! This week Gavin and I are attempting the difficult task of reviewing the new Netflix buddy action film, ‘Hidden Strike’, starring the one and only Jackie Chan and wrestling superstar turned leading man John Cena. Why is it difficult you ask? Did we like the film? Did we hate the film? Well…. we have mixed feelings to say the least. If you want to know how we TRULY feel about the...

When corruption runs rampant, and the powerful exploit the weak, only a hero can defend the people, and bring the unjust to their knees. A Robin Hood of the east must team up with a Chinese folk hero in order to bring down a powerful government official with a deadly Buddha palm! Death-dealing nuns, killer Shaolin monks, and an army of soldiers can’t stop the righteous efforts of the one and only…...

One is an illegal immigrant on the run from a ruthless Hong Kong gangster. The other, a struggling student from Taiwan just trying to make his father proud. Their paths cross in the most unlikely of circumstances, but together they must survive the mean streets of…. CHINATOWN! That’s right, this week we are taking a look at the 1977 Shaw Brothers Kung Fu classic, ‘Chinatown Kid’. Directed by genre...

This week we are tackling one of my all time favorite old school Kung Fu movies, and perhaps the first one I ever saw! That’s right, we are discussing the 1979 Jackie Chan classic, ‘The Fearless Hyena’! Crazy villains?! ✅ Non-stop Kung Fu battles? ✅ Hyenas galore?!…. uhhh no ❌ BUT there is a unicorn!… sort of🦄. If epically intense fight scenes, with crazy intricate choreography are your sort o...

In honor of America’s birthday, we have a special Chuck Norris 4th of July episode for you this time around! If a karate kickin’, beer drinkin’, ex-marine Texas Ranger who drives a Dodge Ram Supercharger while battling gun smugglers and cartel bosses doesn’t scream “AMERICA”, then I don’t know what does! That’s right, we are taking a look at Chuck’s greatest film EVER- ‘Lone Wolf Mcquade’! This 19...

Imagine you and your best mate are having the time of your life on the beautiful mediterranean coast of Malta. You’ve started a successful business, things are looking up, and all is good! Then, OUT OF NOWHERE, your life is interrupted by ninjas, killer clowns, vampires, and Italian mobsters. You’ve got to fend off a horde of assassins, while simultaneously playing bodyguard to the most ungrateful...

A technological advancement that threatens the human race as we know it, a corrupt senator vying for ultimate power, and the one good cop who must travel through time and space to stop him, while saving the woman he loves… and still finding time to do the FREAKIN’ SPLITS! That’s right, this week we are taking a look back at the 1994 science fiction epic, ‘Timecop’! Directed by genre veteran Peter...

This week, we are discussing our epically good time we had upon our return to the New Beverly Cinema! This time around, it was a hyper-kinetic Kung Fu double feature of ‘A Book of Heroes’ (1986) and ‘Kickboxer’s Tears’ (1992). The first- a balls to the wall, zany, Taiwanese action comedy with some of the craziest and impressive fight scenes you’ve ever seen! The second- A Hong Kong martial arts me...

New episode alert! This week, Gavin and I are tackling one of the greatest Kung Fu movies of all time. YES, we have said this before, but this is truly one of the masterpieces of old school Kung Fu Cinema- ‘Martial Club’ (1981). Directed by Kung Fu visionary Lau Kar Leung, and starring the iconic Gordon Liu as Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung, this master class in martial arts filmmaking has all th...