No comments about Fusion the Next Evolution in Modern Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Starring Robson Moura, 6 Volume DVD Set.

No comments about Jiu Jitsu Brazilian Basic Techniques.

No comments about Warrior Yoga - Yoga for the Martial Athlete.

2 comments about Saulo Ribeiro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Revolution Series One. Six Volume DVD Instructional Series for Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts.

1. This six set DVD covers the major aspects of BJJ: Mount, Cross Body (ie side control), Back, Guard, Half Guard, Passing Guard. The only other piece needed for a complete sport game is takedowns, which are covered in Series Two. All instruction is with gi, with Saulo demonstrating on Chris (one of his brown belts) for around 15 techniques per video.
   
   The techniques lean towards offense, so for example Half Guard spends more time passing and submitting than defending or sweeping. Saulo does a great job of emphasizing a consistent theme in each DVD. For example in the Cross Body DVD the first few sequences demonstrate the importance of controlling the opponents hips with your weight, as opposed to with arm positioning or grips, and he reiterates this point in every cross body technique. This theme of using your core positioning rather than limbs to maintain control comes across as one of the key tenets of Saulo's approach. Another key point is that jiu-jitsu is not as simple as learning a set of magic techniques that always work, and Saulo teaches you to recognize the moment ("momentum" is his word) in which a technique will be most effective.
   
   Overall this series is very good. As a white belt who has trained for six months, I found the half-guard DVD particularly enlightening, both the specific passes and the general philosophy for defending and sweeping. The only complaint is that the series emphasizes advanced techniques at the expense of basics. This is most pronounced on the Guard DVD, where the basic submissions (armbar, lapel choke, kimura, triangle) aren't touched, while multiple butterfly sweeps are. Bill Lewis's online review says this is probably due to marketing concerns of avoiding material well-trodden by other series. Still, I found Saulo's series most valuable when it laid out correct body placement on basic moves and positions as opposed to exotic submissions, and having this for the full range of "BJJ 101" would have been nice.
   
   Another minor complaint - both Saulo and Chris are wearing shiny white gis and sometimes it's hard to tell exactly where an arm or leg is positioned. Kind of an obvious oversight in what otherwise is a very well produced set.
   
   Overall though anyone up to a blue should find this set greatly clarifies some basic points and erases many of the misconceptions you've picked up early in training. I'm guessing advanced belts will benefit from the more advanced techniques, but I'll leave that to another reviewer to confirm.



2. it is well worth the money as it provides a different point of view n way to tackle some of jujitsu problems. saulo repeatedly emphasized the importance of energy conservation, leverage and avoid using power against power on the moves are something that all beginners n intermediate practisioners need to take at heart. his teaching is solid, very detailed and easy to understand. also the techqiues he taught are also the ones he used successful on the tournament i.e the spectacular judo throw !!!!!

1 comments about Marcelo Garcia New Game Jiu-Jitsu. Six Volume Instructional DVDs for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling.

1. Marcelo Garcia's new series has 4 discs on the omoplata and monoplata. 1 disc on the guillotine and 1 disc on the crucifix. This dvd instructional is awesome and is a must have for any Marcelo Garcia fan or bjj fan. His crucifix disc is just great. And if you like to use the omoplata Marcelo has got 4 disc of it to help broaden your game. He shows setups from every where. This is definitely a series for more experienced BJJ practitioners. If you are a beginner it might be better to start with Marcelo Garcia series 1. And if you are really new to BJJ you should try some more basic instructionals, or just go down to the local BJJ school and sign up. I hope this review has helped.

5 comments about House of Flying Daggers [UMD for PSP].

1. This is an excellent film. Not the common martial art film: very well acting, brilliant cinematography. A very moving film. Should have got an Oscar!



2. What a stunning film this is--House of Flying Daggers. There is a beauty so deep, the viewer is mesmerized: characters/actors who play them, scenery/setting, astonishing martial arts movements unlike what the viewer finds in other movies, costumes, the use of colors and light. Director Zhang Yimou assembles the parts to create a whole, a film so deep in beauty that the viewer's focus is a totality in that frame. My breath was whooshed away!
   
   The two leads, Ziyi Zhang--she with the delicate face in a powerfully controlled yet delicate body, and Takeshi Kaneshiro--he with his masculine beauty and graceful arrogance, play off each other with consummate skill as actors and martial artists. The third in this inevitable fate-must-play-out film is Andy Lau, a man's man who plays his control until the last second when his passion must out. Watching the interplay of these three give-and-take, back-and-forth is so unsettling. The casting is perfect!
   
   The framework for the film is the House of Flying Daggers, a group of female martial artists, who oppose the corrupt Tang government and seek to embarrass it when necessary and opportune. Although this secretive group is the raison d'etre for the story, it is the story of the three characters who absorb our interest. And what is obvious becomes the source of secrets. With the necessity of secret organizations comes the well spring of secrets--one by one, several times, always keeping the viewer a little more off-balance.
   
   In a time of corruption, the unusual becomes the norm. Soldiers walking the trees in battle becomes common rather than a seemingly magical skill exerted by only a special few. Every person is a remarkable handler of martial arts instruments. Everyone fights equally well. Who is to win?
   
   The final conflict is played out across a meadow in a snowstorm. White has been described in literature as representative of "the inscrutable cosmic mystery." Why these people? Why this battle? Why this ending?
   
   I think perhaps I love this film as much as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" for that mystical element that is part of Asian films (in my limited experience), the Taoist belief in accepting things for the way they are and if challenging this, falling subject to one's fate anyway. The film then reflects both the Greek dramatic belief of the inevitability of fate and the Shakespearian technique of mistaken and double identities. "House of Flying Daggers" is a beautiful cinematic experience--mesmerizing, stunning, powerful.



3. House of Flying Daggers has Beautiful Cinematography, Choreography, and a great story! Most reviewers have already covered the basics, but I wanted to give a 5 star rating to this masterful film.
   
   This is movie to treasure, and if you enjoy this film as much as I do....
   Also, purchase Hero. For those who somehow missed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I suggest adding that to your wish list, as well.
   
   I was only slightly interested in martial arts films, until Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was created, but House of Flying Daggers and Hero have expanded my interests. These movies are truly masterful productions, and they have inspired many other beautiful films. This genre is unique and highly recommended.



4. This movie was great but what made it better was seeing it in blu ray format. The scenery is breathtaking.



5. I am a huge fan of martial arts movies and my favorites are from the same director Yimou Zhang who made "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" and "Hero" and therefore I had very high expectations from this movie. House of Flying Daggers was a magnificent movie satisfying in every aspect. Use of colors and seasons symbolizing different stages of life and emotions, characters, nature, martial arts choreography, creative choice of weapons and in many other aspects, the director again did a wonderful job. The ending especially was extremely powerful.. hope to see more of these

5 comments about Rickson Gracie: Choke.

1. I gave this documentary 4 stars because I have a personal interest in grappling/mma/the gracie family, that being said I would give it 3 stars for anyone with no general interest in the subject matter.
   
   I especially enjoyed the insight into Rickson Gracie's training and personal life. You can't help admire the man for the amazing athlete and family man he is.



2. A good look at the life inside and outside of the ring of an mixed-martial-art contestant, Rickson Gracie. His family helped popularize the concept of MMA competition for North American audiences with the debut of the Ultimate Fighting Champsionship back in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. Even though Rickson is probably the strongest Gracie in terms of physical and technical abilities, the family chose Royce to compete in UFC to demonstrate that a physically small person can defeat much larger opponents using superior grappling techniques.
   
   If you're a fan of MMA, this is a good DVD to watch to see how competition has evolved over the years.



3. I just started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and think its a great and amazing fighting style, but this movie didn't really capture my interest at all. It could be that I just don't watch BJJ or MMA or whatever at all, but the fights were pretty short and mostly disappointing. I did see the general idea behind Gracie fighting style in action, which was good. However, to me (someone just starting to learn BJJ), this wasn't all that exciting. I didn't get to see a lot of moves, and many counters happening. Similarly, to someone who only likes martial arts enough to watch the occasional Jet Li movie...well, there's a reason that movies show striking martial artists rather than grapplers, its just more exciting, so this documentary wouldn't really appeal to those guys. And to people who do watch a lot of MMA and real fighting, I'd guess that watching UFC would be a lot more entertaining.
   
   However, I do think that this must be a more significant video for its "historical" value. My understanding is that BJJ wasn't well known back in 95 when this vale tude (or whatever its called -- no rules fighting) tournament happened. So for that reason Rickson must have been a big deal and something exciting at that point.
   
   Don't get me wrong, I think that guy is awesome, but the movie was no good. Good fighter does not equal good movie producer.



4. This is a great look into a few days and hrs inside the legend known as Rickson Gracie. Anyone who really knows BJJ and it orgins knows Rickson is arguably the greatest fighter ever. This video really shows you how great Rickson was for his time and shows how far advanced he was. This video left me wishing I could see more of Rickson and wondering what if he competed today. It is a great inside look to how the baddest man alive flet and dealt with pre fight gitters. Long Live Gracie Jiu Jitsu!



5. This movie is right up there with The Smashing Machine. Great look into MMA at its roots. Hopefully a new documentary like this surfaces in the future because they sure are great to watch.

5 comments about Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Instructional Series.

1. The Videos are very good. There is alot of material on the three DVD's and they are presented in a well organized and thought out format. They are easy to understand and each technigue is covered several times and from different angles. I would highly recommend these DVD's to all martail artist who are interested in learning Brazilian Jujitsu.



2. The three DVD's are organized by level of instruction - beginner, intermediate, and advanced techniques. Cesar Gracie is a very good teacher and explains the techniques in great detail.
   
   I am currently a student of BJJ myself and find this DVD set a good companion to lessons from my academy.



3. I bought both this and the Ultimate Winning Techniques video (see my review). This video is awesome, but it is so "drawn out" I almost fall asleep watching it. I have only made it through the first video. They talk too much and go over and over the same moves to the point it gets boring. I have a rewind button...I don't need every little detail done over and over 5 times! The videos are excellent, you will learn what you need to learn from the best school in the world, but I think for a beginner you may just rather spend the $17 and get the other video I purchased. If my point of view changes if I ever have the patience to get through the 2nd and 3rd DVD's, I'll let you know!



4. I have several other BJJ DVD's and so far this is the best one. It is straight forward, clearly demonstrated from several angles, well spoken and kept simple. I found it easy to follow because it was very matter of fact, methodical and broken down very well. There is no irrelevant rambling or waffling on, just great technique expertly demonstrated one after the other. Very to the point, no fluff or BS.
   You get a bit sick of him saying "boom!" everytime a technique is applied, but it does emphasize the effectiveness of the technique and after a while it grows on you.
   When I bought it I did not realise it had three DVD's in it, gotta love the value!
   I would recomend this over the others definatley.



5. the video is great- this instructional video is at the perfect pace- and is very accurate in its moves

5 comments about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu- Ultimate winning techniques.

1. Great purchase. It is worth its weight in gold! If you are a novice or a pro, there is something in this set for you.



2. This product was a steal for the price! I ordered the Gracie method, which is excellent, but I think they spend too much time going over the "fine details" of each move on that video series---it is so drawn out it gets boring to watch! This video is right to the point. The moves are clearly demonstrated, but there isn't so much talking and they don't do the same thing over and over so many times (isn't that what a rewind button is for?). If you master all the moves on this video, you could probably at least be ready for the blue belt test in jiu jitsu at most schools. They do a drill alternating between the triangle choke, arm bar, etc. (3 moves---can't spell the 3rd one!)---my teacher surprised us all by throwing that very drill on our belt test...I was ready for it because of these videos (we never did it in class). I would definitely buy the intermediate/advanced videos if/when available. I hope this helps.



3. I found this to be a great instructional DVD. The techniques he showed were not unlike other DVD's, however with each technique he shows a slight twist here or angle change there that can mean the difference between a really tight inescapable lock to a loose one. These small differrences make a big differrence.
   The only negative thing I would say is he waffles on a bit. He introduces too many concepts while trying to demonstrate the basic technique. It would be easier to grasp if the basic technique was introduced first, then show the finer points and variations of the basic. It leaves you thinking "come on, get on with it" a lot. But the actual techniques are great.



4. I haven't actually bought this particular DVD set. But I do have Gene Simco's 4 DVD Set, "Essential Techniques." Looking at the description and video preview for this DVD at the producers' website, this set seems to be one and the same. I paid $100 for my set at Simco's site, so at Amazon, this is a steal. I thought I would pass along this information so people don't spend more than they need to.
   
   As far as the DVD set, this set is basically a companion to Simco's beginner book, "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basics". He goes over the basic foundational techniques that you will use to build into some of the most advanced techniques in BJJ. I second the notion that it seems like you are almost there in class with Gene. The camera angles are great and what makes Gene stand out as an instructor are the way he puts the what seem to be complex techniques into the simplest terms. This makes it very easy to go from the explanation to the application.
   
   The set goes over:
   
   Standing techniques: Basic standing technique, closing the distance, takedowns from the clinch and when your opponent is behind you.
   
   Attacks from the top: Guard passing, hold downs, submissions from the top and back.
   
   The Guard: Sweeps, submissions, arm locks and chokes. The three pillars of guard submission (Triangle, arm lock, omoplata) and combinations.
   
   Escapes and Leg locks: Escape from the pin, leg locks and leg lock escapes.
   
   For what it's worth.



5. This DVD offers fantastic qualilty instruction. Very detailed. You can't go wrong for the price.

5 comments about House of Flying Daggers.

1. This movie is perfect for Blu-ray. Its colors are vivid and its cinematography is amazing. As I said in the title it is visually stunning. The story itself is really simple, yet there are just enough twists to turn it into a pretty good tale.
   
   It's not an action extravaganza, but more of a love story, but when there is action it's decent. I think this movie starts slow, but when it ended I sat there thinking how much I enjoyed the trail on which it led me.



2. This is an excellent film. Not the common martial art film: very well acting, brilliant cinematography. A very moving film. Should have got an Oscar!



3. What a stunning film this is--House of Flying Daggers. There is a beauty so deep, the viewer is mesmerized: characters/actors who play them, scenery/setting, astonishing martial arts movements unlike what the viewer finds in other movies, costumes, the use of colors and light. Director Zhang Yimou assembles the parts to create a whole, a film so deep in beauty that the viewer's focus is a totality in that frame. My breath was whooshed away!
   
   The two leads, Ziyi Zhang--she with the delicate face in a powerfully controlled yet delicate body, and Takeshi Kaneshiro--he with his masculine beauty and graceful arrogance, play off each other with consummate skill as actors and martial artists. The third in this inevitable fate-must-play-out film is Andy Lau, a man's man who plays his control until the last second when his passion must out. Watching the interplay of these three give-and-take, back-and-forth is so unsettling. The casting is perfect!
   
   The framework for the film is the House of Flying Daggers, a group of female martial artists, who oppose the corrupt Tang government and seek to embarrass it when necessary and opportune. Although this secretive group is the raison d'etre for the story, it is the story of the three characters who absorb our interest. And what is obvious becomes the source of secrets. With the necessity of secret organizations comes the well spring of secrets--one by one, several times, always keeping the viewer a little more off-balance.
   
   In a time of corruption, the unusual becomes the norm. Soldiers walking the trees in battle becomes common rather than a seemingly magical skill exerted by only a special few. Every person is a remarkable handler of martial arts instruments. Everyone fights equally well. Who is to win?
   
   The final conflict is played out across a meadow in a snowstorm. White has been described in literature as representative of "the inscrutable cosmic mystery." Why these people? Why this battle? Why this ending?
   
   I think perhaps I love this film as much as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" for that mystical element that is part of Asian films (in my limited experience), the Taoist belief in accepting things for the way they are and if challenging this, falling subject to one's fate anyway. The film then reflects both the Greek dramatic belief of the inevitability of fate and the Shakespearian technique of mistaken and double identities. "House of Flying Daggers" is a beautiful cinematic experience--mesmerizing, stunning, powerful.



4. House of Flying Daggers has Beautiful Cinematography, Choreography, and a great story! Most reviewers have already covered the basics, but I wanted to give a 5 star rating to this masterful film.
   
   This is movie to treasure, and if you enjoy this film as much as I do....
   Also, purchase Hero. For those who somehow missed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I suggest adding that to your wish list, as well.
   
   I was only slightly interested in martial arts films, until Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was created, but House of Flying Daggers and Hero have expanded my interests. These movies are truly masterful productions, and they have inspired many other beautiful films. This genre is unique and highly recommended.



5. This movie was great but what made it better was seeing it in blu ray format. The scenery is breathtaking.