The Warrior Spirit

Director: Renshi Allie Alberigo
Studio: L.I. Ninjutsu Centers
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Eastern religion re-packaged for Western consumption.......2007-07-04

While it was nice to see Nick Nolte working in front of a camera again instead of speeding down the highway blitzed out of his mind on drugs. And equally as nice to see Amy Smart acting more civilized this time instead of being humped like a dog in front of a horde of people on a public street as she did in the movie Crank. This movie, while fun to watch was nothing more than a load of Eastern religious "Self Realization" teachings presented in a way to be palatable to the Western mind. I didn't like it.

If you are into Buddhism and New Age religions. You'll probably eat this up.

How the Other Half Lives.......2007-07-03

Dan Mellman (Scott Mechlowicz) was a golden boy. Having the world at his feet, he enjoyed being the star gymnast on a star team for The University of California, Berkeley. But there was something missing. Going through girlfriends, including stealing his best friend's, Dan had a cocky attitude that kept him empty and up at night. Fortunately, his three A.M. sojourns for snacks at an all-night gas station lead him to a mysterious, older man sarcastically nicknamed Socrates (Nick Nolte) who seems like Yoda, but in all seriousness. In his peace arsenal is the ability to startle someone by getting up on the garage roof when no one is paying attention. Here they meet, and the sage man offers wisdom that is only greeted with a sneer and Dan's smart mouth. Offering more than change for snacks, he also tries to relieve insomnia. ("People are afraid of the inside--That's where everything important is.") The meetings recur, but so does Dan's dream life that bring omens of misfortune. In some of those dreams we see impressive confrontations from two forms of Dan. (One I believe represents his ego, and the other is his spirit, and the unsettling division presented show us the split of a person yearning for the whole.) Dan needs to "let go of his ego". Tragedy then does visit as his unconscious foretells, and he must deal with it. But his recuperation needs more than crutches, he needs a steady guide to cope with his inner fracture as well.

'Peaceful Warrior' is a unique and excellent adventure. It could have been a good as an inspiring sports' film, but it goes beyond that. The sparring between Dan's ego and Socrates' wisdom creates another whole venue, complete with scenes that show Dan coming to grips with himself. Nolte plays Socrates with grizzled beard and gravelly voice, but shows us a peace warrior who is no wimp. Confronting Dan quietly, he gives him the strength to confront himself. Some of the joy of this movie is listening to Dan and Socrates espouse their wisdom, like Greek teacher and student. 'Peaceful Warrior' could have been a hokey failure, but they really deliver in this refreshing film choice. (Based on Mellman's autobiographical account.)

Awesome film.......2007-07-03

I love this film and the book. There should be more movies made with this kind of message and wisdom. This is an ageless coming of age story and it has so much to teach all of us - especially people who are "coming of age," which I think most of us are most of the time! You will love it - whether you read the book or not. It is awesome.

Great film that follows the book.......2007-07-02

Nick Nolte was superb in this film as was the entire cast. The film follows the book and gives a good account of a wisdom not often found in our contemporary culture. As Nolte notes in the film "there is no higher purpose" than service to others. This type of wisdom is not something one finds in the modern world where the bottom line generates astonishing selfishness and promotes an attitude best characterized as 'Get yours while the getting is good!' This film is inimical to that standard, so if you are looking for something that puppets the American Dream, this film is probably not for you.

Millman's book advocates for an engaged spirituality and empowered life without rationalizations or excusses. What you will find in the film is more of the same. Nolte's character Socrates refuses to hold Millman's hand, as Millman navigates these mysterious contours of spiritual awareness found in the depths of the human pysche.

When the book came out over twenty years ago it asserted itself as "a book that changes lives." To what extent this is true is difficult to say. As someone whose life was radically changed, I suspect the effort to embody the wisdom teachings had more to do with change, than simply reading the book. But if you take these propositions to heart and embody them into your lives, I suspect you will find significant tremors of change emerging out of the depths of your own unconscious.

These types of changes rarely provide comfort - at least at first blush. A threshold must be passed through, but it is in the passing that the attributes of a warrior emerge into the light of day and take hold of the personality. The film demonstrates the passage of transformation which - in my view - makes it entirely worthwhile and timely to our contemporay moment. In this sense, the film presents a right-of-passage that these propositions hold for a contemporary audience.

What could be more important?

"Take Out The Trash Dan" ~ There's No Higher Purpose Than Service To Others.......2007-07-02

Based on allegedly actual events chronicled in Dan Millman's book `Way of the Peaceful Warrior' the film `Peaceful Warrior' released in `05 takes the audience on a shamanic spiritual journey in the most unlikely of places, a twentieth century urban center, more precisely, Berkley, California.

Synopsis: Dan Millman is a top gymnast at U. C. Berkley yet despite his many successes he feels empty and incomplete inside. Plagued by dreams of failure Dan is unable to sleep and finds himself wandering the streets in the early hours of the morning. When he stops at an all night gas station and service mart he meets a man of unconventional wisdom who begins to instruct him on the process of clearing his mind of all the useless garbage it contains in order to view himself and the world around him in a brand new way.

`Peaceful Warrior' is one of those rare films that both entertains and teaches without sacrificing one for the other. The production values are high, the dialogue believable and the performances strong. Scott Mechlowicz was definitely the right choice to play the role of Berkley gymnast Dan Millman and Nick Nolte delivers one of his best performances in years as the mysterious Socrates, garage attendant and "New Age" Zen Master. Add to the mix Amy Smart as Dan's love interest Joy and you have a little romance as well. I did find the film to be slightly uneven here and there, the best moments taking place whenever Nick Nolte (Socrates) is on screen. However the message is so well presented and the actors so amiable any minor gliches are forgivable.

My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars.

Average customer rating:

Many layered somewhat confusingly opaque offering
A DIFFERENT KIND OF MOVIE
Good Night!
Spectacular
Good Movie!!!

Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle
Starring: Masatoshi Nagase , Daisuke Ryu , Tadanobu Asano , and Jun Kunimura
Director: Sogo Ishii
Manufacturer: Tokyo Shock
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002JP2VG
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Description

Benkei, a master fighter and killer, vows never to take another life after his conversion to Buddhism. His faith in pacifism, however, is shaken and ultimately broken when members of a warrior clan are being mysteriously beheaded at Gojoe Bridge. With his "Demon Slayer" sword the former Buddhist monk and his grave robbing sidekick set out to unmask and destroy the powerful evil forces that lurk at Gojoe bridge. Set in the 12th Century, this action packed epic features some of the most extraordinary fight sequences ever filmed, and heralds the return of the Samurai Film to Japanese Cinema.

Customer Reviews:

Many layered somewhat confusingly opaque offering.......2007-06-01

Gojoe is a rather strange offering and while I find it interesting, I'm still undecided as to what it's supposed to be. It's not a straight telling of the story of the monk Benkei at Gojoe bridge, indeed apart from taking a few characters and locations seems to have very little to do with it. So we know it's not a historical costume drama, then what is it ? The metaphysical element is strange, it's very difficult to judge what view the film is taking, is it one of the real world perceived from the the viewpoint of people who believe in demons and the mystic powers of Buddhism. Or is it a more fantasy oriented scenario where these are literally true and the combatants really are waging psychic war ? Perhaps it's a choice we're allowed to make ourselves, make of it what you will, I don't know the answer. The films pace also jumps to extremes, from blood spurting action shots where somewhat inept samurai are hacked up by the dozen to sections where a confused Benkei gets all angst ridden and meanders off into the wilderness to indulge in much tedious self examination and find himself. Clearly the director is trying to provide something deeper and more spiritual than Baby cart or Azumi but I'm not entirely sure he's succeeded, maybe you need to be a Buddhist to really get it.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF MOVIE.......2006-08-07

I really enjoyed "Gojoe: Spirit War Chronicle." I would highly recommend watching this movie. It is totally different than many movies I have seen, and has wonderful cinematography. I like the character of Benkei, aptly played by Daisuke Ryu. It was great to see him in this movie: along with Tadanobu Asano, the main protaganist in the film. The movie takes place in 12th Century Japan, at a place called Gojoe Bridge. Apparently, many members of a warrior clan are being killed by an unknown entity. Benkei a former warrior has become a Buddhist and refuses to kill anymore, however, he changes his mind and decides to destroy whatever evil is lurking at Gojoe Bridge. Is it human? Or is it something else? I will leave this to the viewer to watch. I can tell you, however, that this movie does not disappoint. It sure did not disappoint me. I thought the cinematography and the acting and action sequences were very good, and the film has a definitely original storyline. I liked this movie, and I am a huge fan of the Toshirio Mifune and Akira Kurosawa classics. Not that I am comparing this movie to those earlier classics. I am not. However, this is a different era today, and some of the movies coming out of Japan show an originality in them that appeals to me. If you are the type of viewer that wants everything spelled out easily, then you might not like it. However, if you want to see a different type of movie, one that is totally original, then I would recommend you watch this movie.

Good Night!.......2006-07-29

I tell you, if you believe in gods and devils, this movie is quite terrifying. Note that this is a play on alot of folk tales about the legendary warrior monk Benkei. Also good if you're easily hypnotized by fire...

Spectacular.......2006-03-25

I wrote a really long review for this and was surprised to see it is not here. #%^#%*%&*%^%&#(&!!!!!!!!

So in short I will tell you this is an epic movie that is one of the biggest blood spillings I have ever seen. The story was pretty good and the acting was superb, especially the monk. The final fight is great but it is a lot of closeups that do not focus on martial arts but do give you more excitement in my opinion.

The DVD has really good 5.1 sound and the special features are awesome with really good sound. The picture quality is weird how it will go from crystal clear to grainy but a lot of Tokyo shock movies are like that and it does not affect the beautiful cinematography.

Good Movie!!!.......2005-09-05

i dont understand what there isnt to get about the film or what not to like. the cinamatography is awesome, the storie plot is one of the better, more original ive seen in a while, i dont understand what the problem other people see with its special effects; the blood flow was great and realistic, not computer generated like in the new zatoichi film. i only had one qualm with the film and everything else really makes up for it; some scenes are grainy like they missed something in the editing process, but its nothing i hold against the film greatly. i rented it from blockbuster and have been thinking about buying just so i could add it to my collection. p.s. it's true people with ADD shouldn't be critics

Spirit Warrior DVD Collection (Vols. 1-5)

Average customer rating:

Spirit warrior
Spirit Warrior

Spirit Warrior DVD Collection (Vols. 1-5)
Starring: Spirit Warrior
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001Y4LGO
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Customer Reviews:

Spirit warrior.......2007-02-26

Hi there, it seems like the DVD is incomplete because the story doesn't link well. Hope that there is a full series that I can purchase for to complete the whole story. Thank you.

Spirit Warrior.......2005-11-02

Also known as the PEACOCK KING on vhs

I Loved the Mysticism of this story that surounds a priest with unique mystical powers to combat (Ogres) demons.
He is not alone in his strife, his companions are themselves unique in their own abilities and motives.

To sum up the story line the fight itself throughout the series is one that has existed from the beginning of time.
The fight between good (evil) and evil but with evil itself fighting for order the neutrality of the world to form balance.

I feel this sort of storyline and content is itself on its own level i would rate it up there with Cybercity Oedo or something more on the lines of X the movie.

Stone Warrior- Chinese Strength & Health Program

Average customer rating:

Making a correction
I take it back...mostly
Usefull system

Stone Warrior- Chinese Strength & Health Program
Starring: Professor Thomas Keen
Director: Thomas keen
Manufacturer: Yamazato/Fighting Spirit Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
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The Miracle Seven: 7 Amazing Exercises That Slim, Sculpt, and Build the Body in 20 Minutes a Day

ASIN: B0006A5NTC
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Description

A Master's level exercise set from the Chinese Strength & Health Program. Stone Warrior is the longest and most difficult of the sets or forms contained within the program. Consisting of twenty-one exercises. Stone Warrior is designed to build strength, muscle mass and power. As with all the other sets in the program. Stone Warrior does not require any equipment and can be performed in a small space of four to six feet. Tensing the muscles with the maximum power to develop the body much lik that of weight lifters but without the equipment. For the martial arts student, the exercises all hace combat applications to develop the blocking and striking power of the body.

Daily practice of the Stone Warrior begins with learning one set of three exercises each week for seven weeks, performing each exercise 12 repititions. Add one repitition each week beginning with 12 and increase to 36 repititions per exercise. Stone Warrior takes 8 months to complete and is then trained daily at 36 repititions for a lifetime. Full tension is applied with each exercise throughout the body. Daily practice begins with 15 minutes and will increase to 90 minutes at completion.

Stone Warrior is the highest level of exercise set in the Chinese Strength & Health Program. Other Videos in this set include: Iron Vest Qigong.

Customer Reviews:

Making a correction.......2006-03-30

I'm sorry that you were not happy with the production. If the DVD is faulty, please send it to me for a replacement.

No, not filmed in the basement but in a 5,000 sq ft hall where we were hosting the seminar.

Yes, out of breath because the exercises are under full tension and demonstrated at full tension. If you're not out of breath with the exercise, you are not pushing enough.

Iron Vest is the internal set, Stone Warrior is all external. Please visit my site for more details on the complete Chinese Strength & Health Program.

We will refilm this DVD to make the atmosphere more appealing.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Thomas Keen
Keen's Martial Arts

I take it back...mostly.......2006-03-21

Okay, I gave a pretty bad review of this dvd originally because it didn't play right. But after viewing it without the technical problems, I would like to say that it is a pretty good program and given the rarity of the subject matter, a good addition to any collection. Ancient muscle conditioning? Not many dvd's out there on the subject. I've edited my original review and it won't allow me to give it more stars, but I'd give it 4. Sorry, Mr. Keen, if I cost you sales on this. I commend you for putting this out.

Usefull system.......2004-12-28

Great form of exercise and definitly a challenging form of qigong for the advanced practitioner, martial artist looking for some form of expansion to their training. The only downside is you will not find any of the internal basis or what have you on about the Stone Warrior or Iron Wire/Thread qigong on the disk, but it is the advanced portion of their system so they probably expect you know about the internal or historical aspects already.

Average customer rating:

The single worst film of all time?
Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!

Spirit Warrior: Festival of the Ogres
Starring: Todd Beadle , Chief Irvin Brink , Michael Caine , Joan Chen , and Jules Desjarlais
Director: Steven Seagal
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00014K5TG
Release Date: 2004-02-10

Description

On the trail of a haunted statue, apprentice mystic Kujaku clashes with a super-powered warrior that isn't human! The missing statue hoards a demonic power that could destroy the world, and the forces of evil will stop at nothing to snatch it!

Customer Reviews:

The single worst film of all time?.......2006-10-28

It gives me no pleasure to write the subject line, above. I love Steven Seagal films. They tend to be exciting, have some snappy dialogue, and often have great villains (Henry Silva, Basil Wallace).

But let me digress for a moment. In the 1970s, there was a film, The Green Berets, that was called "the worst film of all time." I watched it recently and it wasn't half bad. After all, it had The Duke and Aldo Ray in it. No, this Seagal excuse for an environmental diatribe is insulting to environmentalists, to oil companies, to Alaskan natives, and to horses!
It portrays the Alaskans as so dumb that they claim horses came from the western hemisphere (they were introduced by the Spaniards).

I tried watching it recently, and could not finish it. It was just too dumb.

My recommendation: stay away. Watch Fire Down Below instead: good story, GREAT music, and good red-necky villains.

Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!.......2004-02-27

A haunted statue is stolen from a room under high security and the thief goes unnoticed and doesn't leave a trail. Fearing the the thief/thieves are supernatural in nature, the owner of the statue hires mystics to investigate its disappearance.
It's the characters in this anime production that make it enjoyable. The villian of the film doesn't steal the statue because he's evil and wants to `destroy the world' which would be typical in a lesser film. No, instead in this, the villian was born with a skill that was relatively useless in today's society but has found an outlet to really show off what he can do.
Kujaku, the main character of the film gets motion sickness while in a car/train which makes him feel like a regular human more so then your regular anime demon/spirit hunter. The Master of Curses character is fun to watch because when he uses his powers, they tend to backfire on him.
The drawbacks to Spirit Warrior: Festival of the Ogres Revival is that there are at least two occasions in which characters make reference to something which made me go what? Who? And this is important because? Well, at least they know what they're talking about. Also, the action scenes tend to be okay in Spirit Warrior. There is nothing wrong with okay action scenes except that the film's climax, which is a ten minute action scene, wasn't as exciting to watch as it should have been. Sure the heroes were being beaten around but I didn't feel as if they were truly threatened. But the climax, as is, is okay. If the action scenes were more then okay, I could see giving this a four star review.
The only difference I can remember between the sub and dubbed version of the film is that in the dubbed version of the film, they name their attacks (which I find funny) while in the subbed version they just make noises like `kai moh sai.....' type thing.
Anyway, Spirit Warrior is a fun way to spend fifty minutes of your life.

Spirit Warrior - A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms

Average customer rating:

Spirit Warrior - A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms

Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001Y4LGE
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Average customer rating:

The Warrior Spirit
Director: Renshi Allie Alberigo
Manufacturer: L.I. Ninjutsu Centers
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006SCQBM
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Description

Come journey with Renshi Allie Alberigo as he takes you on a remarkable voyage deep into the mindset of the 21st century warrior. Inspired by the great martial artists of both this, and generations past, he has forged a philosophy that is both unique and original, yet faithful to the teachings of masters of the traditional martial arts.

Average customer rating:

The single worst film of all time?
Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!

Spirit Warrior: Castle of Illusion
Starring: Todd Beadle , Chief Irvin Brink , Michael Caine , Joan Chen , and Jules Desjarlais
Director: Steven Seagal
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001EFUJQ
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Customer Reviews:

The single worst film of all time?.......2006-10-28

Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!.......2004-02-27

Average customer rating:

The single worst film of all time?
Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!

Spirit Warrior: Regent of Darkness
Starring: Todd Beadle , Chief Irvin Brink , Michael Caine , Joan Chen , and Jules Desjarlais
Director: Steven Seagal
Manufacturer: Us Manga Corps Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Sci-Fi Action | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Anime & Manga | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0000DFZZK
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Description

With Tomoko and the mystical Dragon Orb in his possession, Siegfried von Mittgard now has everything he needs to become the dreaded Regent of Darkness — or so he believes. As Siegfried prepares to use the Dragon Orb to unlock the darkness, Kujaku must come to terms with his unbelievable destiny and rescue Tomoko.

Customer Reviews:

The single worst film of all time?.......2006-10-28

Actually, it's more like a 3 and a half stars!.......2004-02-27

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