Action Movie SUBGENRES

This is a huge, ongoing project that I live to work on :D  If a movie that you think should be in a category is not there,
it's probably because I haven't gotten around to re-watching it to be sure. Same thing, if you see any glaringly wrong placements
of films in categories, please email me:  gynell@gmail.com. For a list of movies, see my Hit List.

MARTIAL ARTS 

Do you know KUNG FU? I don't. Although Martial Arts movies are the source of many remakes/'copies', there are so many great fighting styles, it seems crazy to even try to have it as a category, but, to leave it out would also be unthinkable. So bear in mind just how extensive a list would be if it included every good movie, and even how many subgenres there are within Martial Arts (even fighting styles are too numerous to list). With the help of author Ric Meyers' presentation at ActionFest 2011, and his book Films of Fury: The Kung Fu Movie Book, here is my list. I am listing my favorites, what I think are the most seen (best-loved) movies, and the movies with the most early and continued influence on  mainstream 'American' Action Movies. 

The hero in these movies is beyond skilled and all we can do is watch in amazement!  The philosophy and values are a welcome bonus.  These are the movies you watch for the Martial Arts. They showcase their particular style of fighting and it's often something American audiences have never seen before.   

K

The Chinese Connection (7 Nov 1972)
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Fists of Fury (March 1973)
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Five Fingers of Death (21 Mar 1973)
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The Way of the Dragon (7 Aug 1974)
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Enter The Dragon (19 Aug 1973)
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The Game of Death (8 June 1979)
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Iron Monkey aka Bloody Monkey Master (1983)
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Movie Title (US Release Date)
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Action Movie SUBGENRES
ADVENTURE |  ALL FOR LOVE  |  ARNOLD MOVIES |  BOND  |  BUDDY  |  CHASE  |  FIGHT  |   GRRRL POWER  |  HEIST
MARTIAL ARTS  |  REVENGE  |  SUPER COP |  SUPERHERO  |  SUPER SOLDIER