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Some of the best martial arts movies feature an enlightened sensei with unmatched skill, which takes a struggling protagonist and helps guide them through their training and become their best self. While many of these films obviously focus on the leading role and their own journeys of self-mastery, the sensei masters are an integral component that deserves more spotlight. The sensei don't just put them through days, months, or even years of dedicated training to learn epic finishing moves to win a single fight, but to learn the skills to transform their lives as a whole.

Some of the most influential martial arts films, such as The Karate Kid and Kill Bill, showcase the incredible yet intense bond that forms between a master and student. The legendary Mr. Miyagi's laid back and unassuming 'wax on, wax off' produced one of the best training montages of all time, or the...

It's astonishing the longevity of the "Evil Dead" series, given how deliberately thin the original film's mythology was. In Sam Raimi's 1981 low-budget classic, "The Evil Dead," a group of college kids, including the acerbic Ash (Bruce Campbell) hole up in a remote forest cabin for the usual reasons, when they find an evil-looking book in the basement -- the Necronomicon -- and a mysterious tape recorder. Playing back the tape, they hear evil incantations from the book, read by the cabin's previous tenant. The spell awakens evil monsters who kill the college kids and are generally a nuisance to Ash. 

In the 1987 sequel-cum-remake, "Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn," it's further established that a second spell can banish the monsters back to Hell ... and also throw Ash back in time to the 14th century. The third film in the series, 1993's "Army of Darkness," takes place in the distant past,...

Craig Lines Feb 7, 2018

The Last Dragon was quite a different martial arts film. We dig into its story, and what happened...

When I was a kid in the local video library, I worked my way through as many martial arts films as I could, renting literally anything that had a bare-chested dude in a fighting stance on the cover. One film that fit the description, but stood out as being very different, was The Last Dragon.

As the brainchild of Berry Gordy, the mastermind behind Motown Records, it mixes martial arts, music, supernatural adventure, Bruceploitation, comedy and dance to surprisingly dazzling effect. The soundtrack is a showcase of what Motown Records was about in the mid-80s (arguably a second golden age for them), and its lead single – Rhythm Of The Night by DeBarge – should be familiar to anyone who knows their pop classics. But, far from being a flimsy...

I know a lot of you are excited about Avengers: Infinity War, so while we wait for it to be released, which seems like a lifetime away, we have a great retro mashup trailer for you to watch! It comes from Darth Blender and it features a mashup of footage from several classic superhero films that were made in the 80s and 90s. I'm sure you'll remember some of these if you were up to speed with what Marvel was doing during this era. Below the video, you'll find a list of all the films that were used and all the characters that the actors are meant to play.

I love that Chuck Norris in The Punisher! It also features Burt Reynolds as Iron Man, David Hasselhoff as Nick Fury, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Winter Soldier, Dennis Quaid as Star-Lord, Eddie Murphy as Falcon and more!

You are welcome to...

While I'd argue I have a fairly deep knowledge of '80s films, having survived the era the first time through, it seems I somehow missed "The Last Dragon," directed by Michael Schultz. Schultz works non-stop in television these days, and I'd wager that most of the people watching his episodes of "Arrow" or "Hart of Dixie" or "Black-ish" or "Chuck" or "The Mysteries Of Laura" have no idea this is the same guy who made movies like "Car Wash," "Cooley High," "Greased Lightning," "Bustin' Loose," or "Scavenger Hunt." He was one of the few directors to work with Richard Pryor repeatedly, which automatically makes him somewhat of a superhero. It's always strange when you watch a movie for the first time removed completely from the context in which it premiered, especially one that provokes such an enthusiastic cult response from so many people when you mention it. A mere...

Cinema Retro welcomes our latest columnist, Ernie Magnotta, who will turn his attention to under-rated cinematic gems and guilty pleasures!

By Ernie Magnotta

“If a movie makes you happy, for whatever reason, then it’s a good movie.”

—Big E

There are good movies and there are bad movies. There are also movies that some people say are so bad that they're good. I hear that all the time. I've heard it since I was a kid. I think what they actually mean is that they're not good in the way most people might normally watch and judge a film; Excellent writing, incredible acting, masterful direction, etc.

The way I see it, there's more than one way to enjoy a film. Every movie doesn't have to be a five-star masterpiece like Gone with the Wind. You do not have to judge a film the way you would judge a mainstream...

It’s Valentine’s Day and, for many, that means date night. In this economy, however, a night on the town can be prohibitive. What’s a TV lover to do? Perhaps this is an acceptable alternative? A quiet night in, with a nice, homemade dinner, a few drinks, and a few hours with the perfect show. Here are 10 picks for great date night viewing.

Valentine’s Day Special: Cupid (1998-99)

Chicago bartender Trevor (Jeremy Piven), is convinced he’s Cupid, banished from Mount Olympus and stripped of his powers after pissing off Zeus one too many times. The only way he can get back, as he’s desperate to do, is if he brings together 100 True Love couples. His psychiatrist Claire (Paula Marshall) disagrees, seeing only a broken, if fun, man lost in his delusion. Piven and Marshall have great chemistry, there are interesting guest characters each week, and...

Genre: Martial Arts | Comedy | Fantasy Director: Michael Schultz Writer: Louis Venosta Cast: Taimak, Vanity, Julius Carry and Christopher Murney MPAA: PG-13 Summary: A young man embarks on a quest to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as “The Glow.” Along the way he must fight an evil martial arts expert and an rescue a beautiful singer from an obsessed music promoter. Runtime: 109 min.

When I was a kid I went through a huge phase with martial arts flicks. I devoured everything I could get my hands on: Big Trouble in Little China, Showdown in Little Tokyo, American Ninja, Best of the Best and just about anything Jean Claude Van Dam. I thought Jcvd was the bees knees when I was a kid. But there is one little movie that was the spark that caused the massive explosion of interest in martial arts cinema. That movie was Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon.

Sergio’s review of The Karate Kid remake reminded me to revisit another 80s “master/apprentice” martial arts cult classic, The Last Dragon, starring the then 20-year old Black Belt, Taimak, and the sultry Vanity. Although, is The Last Dragon really a cult classic? Is there indeed a highly devoted group of obsessive Last Dragon fans, with excessive admiration for the film (even if it’s misplaced)? Are you one of them, and if so, why? .

And if you haven’t already heard, the film, likely influenced by The Karate Kid (released a year earlier) – or we could even call it The Black Karate kid (sorry Jaden, but I think Taimak beat you to it) – will be remade, with Samuel L Jackson in the villainous role originated by the late Julius Carry (Sho’nuff, the Shogun of Harlem), and Rihanna rumored to be assuming the part originally played by Vanity.

Rihanna could end up sharing screen with Samuel L. Jackson in "The Last Dragon". In an interview with MTV News, Wu-Tang Clan kingpin, RZA, confesses that though several female artists were being looked at for video show host/singer Laura Charles, he tends to choose the 20-year-old to fill in the part in the remake project.

"That's the one I'm rooting for," the rapper who serves as the remake movie's producer said of Rihanna's potential casting. He further explained that everyone involved in the project is leaning towards having an artist to portray the character once made famous by Prince protege, Vanity. "We're keeping that same concept of the girl being in the music business," so he claimed.

Famed for her music, Rihanna has made her debut in feature film with a cameo role in "Bring It On: All or Nothing". Back in mid-2008, the Grammy Award recipient has...

The King of Cool himself, Samuel L. Jackson, booked two new acting jobs this week. Up first is the widely reported remake of The Last Dragon. Jackson will play Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a part originally played by the late Julius Carry.

The Last Dragon, released in 1985, focuses on a young martial artist named Leroy Green. He travels New York City to achieve the Last Dragon, the highest level of martial arts accomplishment. Those who achieve the Last Dragon possess the Glow and become the greatest fighter alive.

In the film, the character of Sho'nuff is a tough-talking egomaniac, a character type that Jackson typically excels at. The Hollywood Reporter describes one of his character interactions:

"[Sho'nuff's] spiel included asking ego-driven questions like 'Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?' Each time his gang of thugs answered, 'Sho 'nuff!'"

Says Jackson of the role: "I'm a...

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Samuel L. Jackson is set to star as a bad guy in Columbia Pictures’ remake of Berry Gordy’s 1985 cult classic “The Last Dragon.” Jackson will play Sho’nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a role played in the original by the late Julius Carry, whose spiel included asking ego-driven questions like “Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?” Each time his gang of thugs answered, “Sho ‘nuff!” Davis Entertainment’s John Davis and Gordy’s son Kerry Gordy are producing. Penning the screenplay as well as producing is Dallas Jackson, who heads up the urban family label DJ Classicz with Davis. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA is co-producing. The updated plot will be along the same lines of the original, centering on young martial arts student Leroy Green in his quest through the streets of New York to achieve the highest level of martial arts accomplishment,...

There’s no one capable of playing the cool bad guy quite like Samuel L. Jackson (or the cool anyone for that matter), and now Jackson will do us all the favor of playing a smooth-talking villain once more. Jackson has signed up for a remake of the 1985 cult classic, “The Last Dragon”. Jackson will portray the role of bad guy Sho'nuff, the shogun of Harlem, a role first made famous by Julius Carry, who passed away earlier this year from pancreatic cancer. In the first version of the film, Sho’Nuff was famous for asking his followers questions like, "Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?", to which they loyally answered, “Sho’nuff. ...

Samuel L. Jackson has the right stuff to play Sho'nuff.

The actor is set to star in a remake of the 1985 cult martial arts classic The Last Dragon, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

Originated by the late Julius Carry, Sho'nuff is the self-proclaimed Shotgun of Harlem, who answers his own questions (e.g. "Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?") with "Sho'nuff."

Something tells us, Jackson won't have any trouble playing the "baddest mofo."

The 1985 film, a critical bomb, but a financial success, tells the story of ...

And with this move, suddenly a remake of The Last Dragon becomes something I want to see.

Samuel L. Jackson will star as Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, in the recently-announced remake, which will be released by Columbia Pictures and co-produced by RZA from Wu Tang Clan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film is being re-imagined as part of the 50th anniversary of Motown, whose founder, Berry Gordy, was an executive producer on the film. Considering the original was a sizable hit back in 1985, it's strangely that it was the last film or TV project he did produce.

The film starred Taimak as young martial artist Leroy Green, and Prince protégé Vanity as the girl of his dreams. Julius Carry, who just passed away in August, originated the role of Sho'nuff. And here's trivia: The movie also features bit performances by Chazz Palminteri and William H. Macy.

It's been a busy.

Warning: The clip contains some foul language and Sho'nuff violence.

It's a role that was meant to be, if any role was ever going to get a new leading man. The Hollywood Reporter posts that Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to play Sho'nuff in the remake of Berry Gordy's cult classic -- The Last Dragon. I mean, as you can see above, Sho'nuff thinks he's the baddest mofo around, and we've all seen the wallet Jackson carries around with him. (Sadly, however, he can't fight for the honor -- original Sho'nuff Julius Carry died earlier this year.)

For the uninitiated -- Sho'nuff is the Shogun of Harlem, a baddie that young Leroy Green has to come up against on his quest for The Final Level and, subsequently, The Glow (the more you glow, the better you are). Berry Gordy's son Kerry is on as producer, so it's sticking in the family.

I have alway been a fan of Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon and now it's getting a face lift. 

{sidebar id=1}THR has the following : Jackson will play Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a roleplayed in the original by the late Julius Carry, whose spiel included asking ego-driven questions like "Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?" Each time his gang of thugs answered, "Sho 'nuff!"

Davis Entertainment's John Davis and Gordy's son Kerry Gordy are producing.

Penning the screenplay as well as producing is Dallas Jackson, who heads up the urban family label DJ Classicz with Davis. Wu-Tang Clan's RZA is co-producing.

The updated plot will be along the same lines of the original, centering on young martial arts student Leroy Green in his quest through the streets of New York to achieve the highest level of martial arts accomplishment, known Read more...

Of all the films worthy of being remade, I never would've though The Last Dragon was one of them. Columbia Pictures is developing a remake of the cult 1985 film with none other than Samuel L. Jackson set to star as Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a role played in the original by the late Julius Carry (as seen in the photo above). Wu-Tang Clan's RZA is co-producing with John Davis and Kerry Gordy while Dallas Jackson (of Uncle P) will write the screenplay. Jackson admits that he's "a huge fan of the original and look forward to bringing Sho'Nuff into the 21st century." From Afro Samurai to the Shogun of Harlem! The plot will be updated but will follow a similar story as the original, centering on a martial arts student named Leroy Green and his quest through the streets of New York to achieve the highest level of...

It's another heavy role for Samuel L. Jackson.

Having most recently played a dirty cop in "Lakeview Terrace," Jackson is set to star as a bad guy again in Columbia Pictures' remake of Berry Gordy's 1985 cult classic "The Last Dragon."

Jackson will play Sho'nuff, the Shogun of Harlem, a role played in the original by the late Julius Carry, whose spiel included asking ego-driven questions like "Am I the baddest mofo lowdown around this town?" Each time his gang of thugs answered, "Sho 'nuff!"

Davis Entertainment's John Davis and Gordy's son Kerry Gordy are producing.

Penning the screenplay as well as producing is Dallas Jackson, who heads up the urban family label DJ Classicz with Davis. Wu-Tang Clan's RZA is co-producing.

The updated plot will be along the same lines of the original, centering on young martial arts student Leroy Green in his quest through the streets of...

This is some of the saddest news I've seen recently. It seems like we've lost a ton of talented entertainers over the last month, and, unfortunately, now Julius Carry has to be added to that list. According to several sources including Bet, Julius Carry - probably best known for his cult ...

Actor Julius Carry has died. He was 56.

The star passed away on Tuesday, according to MediaTakeOut.com, but details of his death have yet to be released.

Carry was most famous for his role as Sho Nuff in cult 1985 martial arts film The Last Dragon. He enjoyed a long career in the TV industry, starring in shows such as 1989's Doctor, Doctor and making notable appearances in JAG, Diagnosis Murder and Spin City.

Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake have assembled a top-notch cast for their untitled comedy pilot for ABC with Dennis Miller, Joe Mantegna and Lauren Tom tapped to co-star with them in the project. CBS has picked up a comedy pilot toplined by Chris Elliott, while the CW has ordered its first comedy pilot with Nick Lachey in negotiations to star. In other pilot castings, John Terry has joined ABC's drama Secrets of a Small Town, Erin Daniels has landed the title role in Fox's comedy Julie Reno, Bounty Hunter, Tony Curran and William Allen Young have joined ABC's drama Enemies, Jenica Bergere will co-star in Fox's comedy pilot Union Jackass, Ashley Scott has come on board CBS' drama Jericho, Richard Coyle has been added to CBS' drama Ultra, Julius Carry has joined Fox's comedy The 12th Man and Pascale Hutton has been added to another Fox comedy, The Singles Table.