The Martial Arts Mania Podcast

This week Gavin and I discuss the 2019 Hong Kong action picture ‘Undercover Punch and Gun’ starring the ultra-talented Philip Ng and featuring performances from bad-ass dynamo Andy On and pop star Vanness Wu. Listen in as we discuss this entertaining, action-packed throwback to early 90’s Hong Kong cinema, which has all sorts of extended martial arts sequences, shoot-outs galore and some insane st...

New episode alert. In this week’s entry, it was a tragic coincidence that our planned topic was “The American Rise of Jackie Chan.” This was to focus heavily on his films in the 90’s, culminating with the release of one of our all time favorite movies- ‘Gorgeous’. With the passing of legendary martial artist, fight choreographer and co-star of the movie, Brad Allen, we weren’t sure if we wanted to...

New episode alert! In our latest entry, I interview my good friend, Dr. Antonio Graceffo aka The Brooklyn Monk! Currently based out of Mongolia, Antonio is a true renaissance man: martial artist, author, researcher, professor, long-time Black Belt Magazine columnist, pro MMA fighter and so much more! Antonio and I discuss his life-long journey in the martial arts, being one of the only foreigners...

New episode alert! This time around, Gavin and I do our inaugural “AMA” episode, where we finally get around to answering some of the great questions people have been asking over the past few months! This episode covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from: Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do, how to pick a dojo, Hong Kong comedies, potential martial art stars that fell short and much more! We had a lot...

New episode alert! This week Gavin and I have a fun new entry that is going to become a recurring theme on the show, “Kung Fu Comfort Films”! In this first episode, we are each going to give 5 of our favorite “comfort martial arts films”. What do we mean by "comfort films”? These are movies that we come back to time and time again. Whether we are bored and need something to watch, are feeling slig...

New episode alert!!!! This week Gavin and I discuss the 2019 Japanese martial arts thriller ‘Hydra’, directed by Kensuke Sonomura and starring Takashi Sato. We break down everything ranging from: the slow-burning but well executed story, the impressive cinematography and of course the INSANE fight scenes! This film has gained a lot of positive buzz since its initial release and has most recently b...

We have a special second episode this week, as Gavin and I discuss a pivotal topic that often comes up in martial arts circles; “Fitness and martial arts training? Counterproductive? Or a necessity?” Listen in as we give our insight on our experiences with our physical fitness training as it has coincided with our personal martial arts journeys. We talk about everything ranging from: what we have...

New episode alert! Today Gavin and I discuss the New Beverly Cinema, the double Bruceploitation screening we attended and the absolute BOMBSHELL that just dropped regarding the late Bruce Lee! Listen in as we give our account of our eagerly anticipated return to the New Beverly, our critiques of the films we viewed (including the extremely rare and infamous ‘The Big Boss Part II’) as well as our t...

New Episode Alert! After a long hiatus, WE ARE BACK! In our newest episode we are talking about what might be the best Kung Fu movie of the past 20 years, director Bao Tran’s incredible ‘The Paper Tigers’! Heartfelt, moving and a hilarious amount of fun, this epic Kung Fu saga also boasts some incredible martial arts action that will satisfy even the most hardcore of fans. Featuring stellar perfor...

GET OVER HERE- WE HAVE A NEW EPISODE!!!! In our latest entry, we give our review of the newest Mortal Kombat movie! We give an honest critique of this latest entry of the franchise, which had elements WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED, and certain parts that left us wanting more. We break down some of our favorite aspects of the film, such as: stars Max Huang and Josh Lawson, awesome character upgrades includin...

New episode alert!!!! This time around, Gavin and I discuss our first ever Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson film, the Richard W. Munchkin directed ‘Out for Blood’ (1992). My personal favorite amongst the Dragon’s extensive library of work, this straight-to-video classic is a step above the rest. With a slick, polished and highly professional look, it stands out amongst other low budget fare from that perio...

New episode alert!!!! This time around, Gavin and I discuss the 1984 Thai action film ‘Born to Fight’, directed by and starring The Godfather of Thai action cinema, Panna Rittikrai. In this pioneering effort, we get to see the literal birth of the Thai style of cinematic martial arts action. We talk about everything ranging from the absolutely insane stunt work, the outside influence of Hong Kong...

New episode alert! We’re back with a new episode you’re going to absolutely LOVE! We’ve got a kick-ass top ten list for you…. “The Best Villains of Martial Arts Cinema”!!!! Listen in as we discuss our favorite martial arts baddies, with some iconic antagonists that you are definitely expecting, and some surprise entries that come out of NOWHERE! Cobra Kai?- we’ve got some of them. Yuen Wah?- you K...

New episode alert! In our newest entry, Gavin and I discuss “How to pick the best martial arts school for YOU!” We go over everything from debunking old school ideas about which style is “best” for you, the importance of finding a school which meets your needs and the necessity of doing your due diligence in terms of research and analysis. We relate some of our personal experiences and successes o...

New episode alert and BIG, BIG NEWS…. We have our first guest in almost a year!!!! Not only that, this particular guest is a true inspiration, who has kicked ass both on screen and off and continues to inspire so many people in so many different ways. We have the incredibly talented, multifaceted: actor, writer and martial artist…. Mr. Sean Kanan! Probably best remembered for his role as the prima...

New Episode Alert! This time around, Gavin and I discuss one of the greatest straight to video franchises, ‘Rage and Honor’ starring two of the best to ever do it, Richard Norton and Cynthia Rothrock. This is a two for one episode in which we discuss both films, deep diving on the differences and similarities found within the production of these two extremely entertaining, albeit uniquely individu...

New episode alert! In this episode, Gavin and I uncharacteristically DO NOT talk about Kung Fu Movies! INSTEAD- we are talking about training. More specifically, transparency in training. We discuss all things ranging from: workout trends, how to pick a good training methodology for yourself and whether or not we can really trust online influencers! We hope you enjoy!

We’re back with possibly the longest podcast episode of all time! Forgive us for the lengthy discussion, but we couldn’t help ourselves but to get super excited discussing 'The Top Ten Kickers of Western Martial Arts Cinema' ! Gavin and I did our Hong Kong edition a while back, so this time around we are talking about the greatest kickers from the west. Our list includes such legends as Phillip Rh...

The Martial Arts Mania Podcast is BACK! In our first episode of 2021, Gavin and I give our list of our top 10 performers of Hong Kong martial arts cinema! We discuss the impact these performers made and their contributions to an iconic era film making! Some entries are expected, while others are definitely going to take you by surprise!

New Episode Alert! This week is Filipino cinema and we are talking about the 2018 action thriller ‘Buy Bust’. Brutal, violent and filled to the brim with uniquely gritty fight sequences, we discuss everything ranging from director Erik Matti’s political commentary, Anne Curtis and Brandon Vera’s FANTASTIC performances, as well as Sonny Sison’s innovative and ambitious FMA based choreography. Altho...

In this episode we discuss the oft forgotten American/ Hong Kong co-production martial arts classic 'College Kickboxers'! Starring early 90's straight to video performer Ken Mcleod and the enigmatic Tang Tak-Wing, this amalgamation of western and eastern cinema is the best of both worlds; an awesomely cheesy action movie plot-line backed by authentic martial artists performing stellar Hong Kong st...

In this episode we discuss the 1975, highly stylized (and highly fictionalized) biographical martial arts film, 'Shorinji Kempo' aka 'The Killing Machine!'- the story of Doshin So, the founder and creator of the Japanese hybrid martial arts system Shorinji Kempo. We go into a deep analysis of my own experiences training in the art, the history of the system with its roots in both jujitsu and Shaol...

The Martial Arts Mania Podcast IS BACK!!!! @Gavin and I return from a long hiatus and discuss anything and everything ranging from training during the crazy times of Covid-19, Scott Adkins’ new YouTube series, comfort movies we go back to again and again and Gavin’s chance encounter with the legendary Billy Blanks. Hope you enjoy!

Our long awaited return has finally arrived! After our first attempt to record this episode failed (due to glitchy zoom call interference) we managed to re-record a couple of weeks back. Well, we once again had some technical issues, but luckily I had a backup mic recording so the episode was saved! We are happy to bring to you ‘The Top Ten One-on-One Fight Scenes of Hong Kong Cinema’. In this epi...

Our interview with martial artist, teacher, podcaster, author and Kung Fu film aficionado Sifu Alex Richter! Founder of City Wing Tsun Athletic Association in New York City, Sifu Alex is a life long martial arts practitioner and one of the most highly sought out instructors of Wing Chun, as well as being one of the foremost experts on Hong Kong martial arts history. He is the co-host of the popula...