Description

Kung Fu expert Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a martial arts master who arrives in Hong Kong to compete in the Kumite, a violent championship fighting contest. ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Way past due on DVD
A great martial arts flick As noted, this movie was JeanClaude Van Damme's first starring role, and for my money one of his two best films. He portrays Frank Dux, an American champion of the Kunite, which was/is a full contact, anything goes martial arts competition.

The movie introduces us to Van Damme's incredible martial arts ability. The story line is simple and unremarkable but effective. Van Damme participates in the Kumite against the wishes of the government which trained him. The cast is certainly unremarkable, led by Bolo Yueng, first(?) seen in "Enter the Dragon", playing Chong Li, the film's key villain and kumite champ.

What makes the film, though for martial artists (and fans) is the incredible range of fighting techniques seen through the film. Some of them are great, some comical. But there is a ton of action (much of it predictably brutal). But for fans of the genre, it is highly recommended.

Van Damme's first and best
Bloodsport is a movie that every Martial Arts fan has seen or at least heard of. This movie was Van Damme's first starring role in which he portrays real life martial artist Frank Dux, an American who was the undefeated heavyweight champion of the kumite from 1975 to 1980 (don't quote me though). The reason this movie was so great was that it showcased Jean-Claude's martial arts and gymnastic prowess rather than his sub-par acting ability. The story was simple but effective: a shady and brutal Martial Arts tournament is being held in Hong Kong and Dux (Van Damme) is going to participate to honor his shidoshi and surrogate father Senzou Tanaka. Leah Ayres and Donald Gibb did an average job of playing Van Damme's cohorts. But who really shines in this film is Bolo Yueng who did a great job in playing Chong Li, the film's key villain and kumite champ. Paul Hertzog did a great job with the soundtrack, which fuels the movie's many fight scenes. This is probably Van Damme's best film. ... Overall, Bloodsport delivers plenty of action with a decent story and is an enjoyable film. I would reccommend it to any Martial Arts fan.

"Now, I break you! Like I break your friend!"
During the martial-arts craze of the mid-90's, there were few bigger stars than Jean-Claude Van Damme. Though it wasn't a box-office hit during its enitial theatrical run, "Bloodsport", Van Damme's first starring vehicle certainly found its audience on cable and video. "Bloodsport" follows American fighter Frank Dux (Van Damme) as he enters a brutal full-contact tournament known as the Kumatai. Looking back at the movie that I once watched religously with all my friends almost a decade ago, it's probably to safe to say that if you didn't pick up on this one during its time then you probably won't understand it now. It had all the great things you'd expect from a Van Damme movie: Minimal story, cheesy overacting, and tons of random splits. The musical score from Stan Bush and a rather silly perfomance from Donald Gibb are the icing on the cake. Anytime I'm looking to take a trip down memory lane, I toss in this and "Kickboxer" and have my own little JCVD double-feature. Now, if only they could put together a special edition DVD.

The Frank Dux story is a hoax
That was proven amongst the martial arts community years ago. Being a martial artist myself, I always get a laugh when I read the description of this movie on websites. However, I am giving this movie 4 stars only because of Van Damme and the great fight scenes in this movie. This is Van Damme at a young age and doing all the kicks and moves that he seems to have lost with age. Bloodsport is basically an imitation of "Enter The Dragon" (the greatest martial arts movie ever made) where a lone guy enters a tournament. The theme has been repeated countless times but Bloodsport is one of the better clones. Also be sure to check out Kickboxer, which is even better than Bloodsport!

jean-claude van damme this movie was good
pretty good movie old though, but its alright the acting was kind of cheap ,but what do you expect from an old movie right? its a van damme classic . ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Weak Drive-In Pairing - Stay Clear!
This may be the most uninteresting DVD so far in the ever-growing Something Weird catalog. Once again, a nice package and an authentic recreation of an actual double-bill...but these two movies [are bad]...(...)

First up is "Blood Suckers" which is about a young man, Patrick Mower, who has become part of a satanic vampiric cult. His friends and family are on a mission to rescue him. Eventually they do. But once back home, the man has turned a bit weird and now likes to suck blood. Patrick McNee stars and Peter Cushing is in there too. I remember renting this on VHS many years ago and it didn't leave much of an impression then. It hasn't really gotten any better, but it is watchable and has it's moments. The print used here has the pre-release title of "Freedom Seeker" on it --- now that's somthing weird.

Well, after one mediocre flick, I was looking forward to feature #2 which I had never seen (although I remember seeing photos of the monster(?) in old issues of Famous Monsters magazine....or maybe it just looks like a creature from the Outer Limits...I don't know). Well, all I got to say is I now know why the 1965 filipino horror flick BLOOD THIRST took 6 years to find a release in the US on the bottom of this double bill. Absolutely mind-numbingly dull from start to finish, this 73 minute b/w melodrama left this viewer in a comatose state. Talk talk talk, blah blah blah.... and nothing happens. And that monster mask is pretty damn fake (in the whole 1 minute of screen time you see it). This one is just plain bad....not even good for laughs.

Something Weird DVD's are usually still a good buy because of the extras included, but here's a case where even those are mediocre. We have several combo-trailers for other double features, none of them that interesting and one is incomplete. There are 2 short subjects, both somewhat banal --- one about a "horny vampire" and the other an old witch nudie short. There's the usual drive-in exploitation art gallery and it's the exact same line-up as another of a recent SW dvd release. The audio spots on it are the best thing on this disc, though, as they are hilarious "country-twang" spots from "Skyline Drive-In" in Greenville back in the 70's. This announcer is a hoot as he tries to peddle Zagnut Bars, Fanta Orange drinks and even Tab over the drive-in speaker system... He also touts their concession stand as having the best food ANYWHERE and that their concession stand is "World Famous". HAhahahahahhahaha! Also remember to get your weight and age guessed at by two beautiful women...one of them wearing a turban! Great stuff! There were some more different audio spots from this particular drive-in on another recent SW disc... they are priceless. I would rather have paid (...) for a disc just full of that stuff than these 2 mediocre movies. So a disappointing disc overall, but if you gotta see 'em all......

Borrrrrinnnnng!
Blood Suckers aka Freedom Seeker is not a vampire movie but some unidentifiable genre pic utilizing vampiric themes as well as some James Bond thrown in for good measure. This movie is kinda unwatchable, but one is pulled in by how strange and ridiculous it all is. Blood Thirst is a little better with a sexy fifties lead dude, acting all Mickey Spillane meets Frank Sinatra, is the best way to describe him. This flick was shot in the philliphines I think. This is my least favorite Something Wierd pairing, and least favorite Something Wierd DVD. I have at least half their DVD catalog.

Mind numbingly strange is what we want
Blood Suckers is a truly insane film that will make you explode with mirth at wondering 'how can something so stupid possibly exist.' Just when you think viewing this will injure you, you're rescued by gratuitous vampirism and psychedelic party depictions. Some of the shots, for example Patrick Macnee riding a donkey and an uptight Peter Cushing representing the academic elite, will bring gut laughter. As a lover of pschotronic cinema and degenerate film, I recommend this as an example of meta cinema worth checking out every so often. To some, this outing may be too much of a bad thing, but to the converted, its well worthwhile.

A "sucker" who isn't thirsty for more of this tripe!
While an ardent fan of BAD horror movies, I can think of very few complimentary remarks to make about this turgid waste of money. Aside from the ballyhoo on the cover (which I KNOW was part of the allure of the Drive-in) there is little to be entertained with these 2 yawners. The first picture BLOOD SUCKERS (which is titled FREEDOM SEEKERS on this print) is a horrid mess. It felt more like a bad episode of THE HARDY BOYS TV series. The sad thing is, this is worse! This film can't decide if its DRACULA, SHAFT or BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS. (Disclaimer:If you love any of these films don't see this film) What's even more tragic is the cast! Alex Davion (remember "Ted Casablanca" in VALLEY OF THE DOLLS) plays one of the most boring action heros to be put on the screen. Patrick McNee is his usual regal self. The truly SAD casting decision in this film (as if there could be just ONE) is Peter Cushing in a most thankless role. His tears at the end of the movie seem more like remorse for having signed on for this mess! Vampire movie? You'll be greatly disappointed. There is barely a shot of a campire to be found here. Lots of comparisons to vampirism and orgasm, but who really cares. This was a waste of 80 minutes. Just when I though things HAD to get "better" in the bad movie sense of the word, along comes BLOOD THIRST! If you were confused by the first picture, just wait til this one! Filmed in the Phillipines, the story centers around an American detective summoned to Manila to help an old friend investigate a series of brutal murders. Is it a vampire? Well, even I wasn't sure at the end! We do get some fun shots of some monster with what looks like elephantitis, but even he is not much fun. What a bore! Don't waste your time or your 20 bucks! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dead Skin Mask...
Adam Rourke (Robert Winston) is a NY detective, specializing in sex crimes, who is called to the Phillipines to help solve a series of bizarre murders. Young women are being attacked, stabbed, and drained of their blood through 10cm long cuts in their forearms. Rourke goes undercover as a writer in order to get the facts. He finds a club (The Barrios) where a mysterious blonde belly-dancer (!!) named Serena becomes the center of his investigation. She's hiding some dark secret involving murder and the occult. Meanwhile, we see a strange "man" stalking more young victims. He's got a head that looks like a year old ham from the bottom of a lake. What sinister purpose is he serving? Rourke fumbles and bumbles along like a dull James Bond, cracking inane jokes, talking to (and answering) himself, and getting romantically involved with the Manillan police chief's sister. I enjoyed this one, even though the ugly ham-headed guy could have been in it more. Worth a gander...

Well, At Least It's Cheap!
Boy Howdy! What a mixed up bunch we have here! Disc #1- Side A- BACK FROM HELL- A priest helps an old friend fight the forces of darkness. It seems that old pest satan is trying to take over the world again. Only our friendly preacher and his friend Jack stand in his way. This is terrifying, due to the fact that these two suffer from a severe, chronic case of brainlessness! This no-budget stenchfest features the worst acting I've ever seen! It's sort of like watching a home movie made by satanic 10 year olds! I really liked the purple hand coming out of the bible to grab the priest's face. Wow! It looked only mildly like rubber! Side B- PROJECT VAMPIRE- Victor escapes from Project Alpha, a plot to create an army of vampires who can withstand sunlight. He battles several bloodsuckers and must ultimately face Dr. Klaus, the head neck-chomper. Horrid acting takes away from a half decent story. Check out the bald, leather-jacketed terminator ripoff! Disc #2- Side A- THE PASSING- The weirdest sci-fi movie I've ever seen! A guy kills his girlfriends rapist (by accident, he just wanted to torture him) and ends up on death row. Meanwhile an old man and his friend decide to do themselves in. This results in a hilarious failure! Then, both the young killer and the old man end up as guinea pigs in a secret experiment. This is the best movie in this collection. It's funny, tragic, and even scary in parts. Lots of male / female nudity. Violence. Side B- BEYOND EVIL- John Saxon and Linda Day George are a married couple who move into a haunted house. The evil witch who once lived there is now trying to possess our sweet heroine. Many interlopers are dispatched in gruesome ways. Basically, 70s cheese with a schlocky crust. I enjoyed this one. All in all, BLOOD THIRST is worth the tiny price... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Dead Skin Mask...
Adam Rourke (Robert Winston) is a NY detective, specializing in sex crimes, who is called to the Phillipines to help solve a series of bizarre murders. Young women are being attacked, stabbed, and drained of their blood through 10cm long cuts in their forearms. Rourke goes undercover as a writer in order to get the facts. He finds a club (The Barrios) where a mysterious blonde belly-dancer (!!) named Serena becomes the center of his investigation. She's hiding some dark secret involving murder and the occult. Meanwhile, we see a strange "man" stalking more young victims. He's got a head that looks like a year old ham from the bottom of a lake. What sinister purpose is he serving? Rourke fumbles and bumbles along like a dull James Bond, cracking inane jokes, talking to (and answering) himself, and getting romantically involved with the Manillan police chief's sister. I enjoyed this one, even though the ugly ham-headed guy could have been in it more. Worth a gander...

Well, At Least It's Cheap!
Boy Howdy! What a mixed up bunch we have here! Disc #1- Side A- BACK FROM HELL- A priest helps an old friend fight the forces of darkness. It seems that old pest satan is trying to take over the world again. Only our friendly preacher and his friend Jack stand in his way. This is terrifying, due to the fact that these two suffer from a severe, chronic case of brainlessness! This no-budget stenchfest features the worst acting I've ever seen! It's sort of like watching a home movie made by satanic 10 year olds! I really liked the purple hand coming out of the bible to grab the priest's face. Wow! It looked only mildly like rubber! Side B- PROJECT VAMPIRE- Victor escapes from Project Alpha, a plot to create an army of vampires who can withstand sunlight. He battles several bloodsuckers and must ultimately face Dr. Klaus, the head neck-chomper. Horrid acting takes away from a half decent story. Check out the bald, leather-jacketed terminator ripoff! Disc #2- Side A- THE PASSING- The weirdest sci-fi movie I've ever seen! A guy kills his girlfriends rapist (by accident, he just wanted to torture him) and ends up on death row. Meanwhile an old man and his friend decide to do themselves in. This results in a hilarious failure! Then, both the young killer and the old man end up as guinea pigs in a secret experiment. This is the best movie in this collection. It's funny, tragic, and even scary in parts. Lots of male / female nudity. Violence. Side B- BEYOND EVIL- John Saxon and Linda Day George are a married couple who move into a haunted house. The evil witch who once lived there is now trying to possess our sweet heroine. Many interlopers are dispatched in gruesome ways. Basically, 70s cheese with a schlocky crust. I enjoyed this one. All in all, BLOOD THIRST is worth the tiny price... ... Read more