Christie Smith

Van Damme absolutely shines in this bio pic! It follows the life of Frank Dux, a martial arts fighter that works for the U.S. Government in some sort of top secret capacity. Dux receives an invitation to the Kumete the world full contact martial arts competition. He asks permission from his commander for a few days off to compete and is told “no”. They are worried that Dux might get hurt in the competition and would therefore compromise his position as a government operative. Dux gives the government agents the “slip” and with the agents hot on his trail he makes his way to the Kumete. Dux wants to win the competition in order to honor his Shidoshi or Martial Arts Teacher, who passed away. What you have unfolding in the plot is, Dux simultaneously evading the government agents and trying to stay focused and undistracted while competing in the Kumete. The movie has an awesome soundtrack and incredible choreography. The fight scenes are rough, raw and extremely entertaining. This movie has friendship, new found love, discipline, honor, respect and loyalty. I’ve watched this movie over and over again and again and it never disappoints. Hands down, one of the best martial arts films ever made.

Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon in the same movie! Wow, two of the sexiest and most riveting actresses give incredible performances! Jennifer Tilly’s relationship with a dangerous gangster Joe Pantolino and trying to play things cool while finding a solution to a life threatening scenario is so suspenseful and will keep you on the edge of your seat! Anxiety inducing and heart pounding suspense is all packed into this gem.

If you’re a wrestling fan and you followed the Von Erich family, this is a must see movie! The story follows the rise and tragedy of the Von Erich’s and the infamous “curse of the Iron Claw”. It does leave out the youngest brother Chris and his suicide. The director of the movie said that having one more tragedy in the story would have been too repetitive and would have added an even more heaviness to the overall feel of the Von Erich story. In the end the story hits the mark with only a few errors on the time line. One error being that David did not die immediately after Kevin’s wedding but died 3 years later. I remember the day I saw David’s picture on the cover of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine announcing his sudden and unexpected death. I was 16 years old and infatuated with David Von Erich and I was devastated by his loss. Watch, learn and remember the Von Erich’s. Kevin, David, Kerry, Mike and Chris. A family that literally changed the face of pro wrestling forever.