Kung FU-Bruary #TBT @ Laemmle NoHo through Feb. 2016
Laemmle North Hollywood celebrates Kung FU-Bruary with a Throwback Thursday every single Thursday night beginning February 4th, 2016 through the end of the month.I unfortunately just found out about this, so I missed one of my all-time favorites LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER (aka DRUNKEN MASTER II), however there are still a few kung fu movies to be watched!
February 4
LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN MASTER (1994) 7:30 PM
starring Jackie Chan, Lau Kar Leung / directed by Jackie Chan & Lau Kar Leung
February 11
BLOODSPORT (1988) 7:30 PM
starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Forest Whitaker, Bolo Yeung / directed by Newt Arnold
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Frank Dux (Van Damme) is a U.S. Army captain who enters an underground no-holds-barred martial arts tournament in Hong Kong known as the Kumite. It’s the film that launched Van Damme’s career (for better or for worse), and is chock with classic 80’s fanfare, including a rockin’ 80’s soundtrack, a menagerie of Street Fighter-esque villains and requisite shots of Van Damme’s posterior. I will always remember it for introducing me to Hong Kong’s most sinister super villain: Bolo Yeung!
Co-writer of BLOODSPORT Sheldon Lettich will be there for a Q&A after the show!
February 18
KUNG FU HUSTLE (2004) 7:30 PM
starring Stephen Chow, Yuen Qiu, Xing Yu, Yuen Wah, Leung Siu Lung / directed by Stephen Chow
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Taking things a bit further than his previous SHAOLIN SOCCER, Stephen Chow perfectly mixes martial arts and comedy with the classic KUNG FU HUSTLE, a story about a down-and-out young man (Chow) looking to join the local Axe Gang to make it big in the city. One of my personal favorite kung fu movies, it features an impressive cast and has a multitude of tributes to both classic kung fu movies and Looney Tunes shorts.
February 25
ENTER THE DRAGON (1973) 7:30 PM
starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly, John Saxon, Shih Kien / directed by Robert Clouse
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Lee (Bruce Lee) is a martial arts expert invited to a private tournament on a remote island. The CIA gets wind and asks Lee to infiltrate and report on the nefarious Dr. No… I mean Mr. Han (Shih Kien), because… for reasons. Those reasons are unimportant, because we’re talking about Bruce Lee in one of his most iconic roles. The supporting cast also features multiple martial arts champions like Jim Kelly and Robert Wall, an appearance by Angela Mao, classic Wong Fei-Hong villain Shih Kien, and one of the earliest cameos for young up-and-coming “Seven Little Fortunes” stuntmen Sammo Hung, Yuen Wah, Yuen Biao and Jackie Chan!
All attendees will get a sample of Bruce Lee Tea courtesy of the Bruce Lee Foundation.
Visit their website to find out more:
http://laemmle.com
Laemmle NoHo 7
5240 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
310-478-3836
Kung Fu LA is my column showcasing kung fu movie events in the Los Angeles area. Know any more kung fu movie-related events in LA? Contact me via twitter @weaponsofla or comment below!