FIGHTS: Tribute - Cynthia Rothrock retrospective

by Bowie Ibarra

I do have to admit, although I am a martial arts movie fan, I have never watched a movie featuring Cynthia Rothrock.

As that same fan, however, I did know that she made a lot of movies and had legitimate martial arts street cred through the various martial arts magazines I read back in the day.

Last week I posted a blog about Gina Carano on the cusp of being the first true American female martial arts star since Cynthia Rothrock.  You can read the entry here.

I like to think my subsequent message to her asking for an interview influenced her to contact the NY Daily news to submit her response to my message.  You can read Cynthia's commentary on the importance of Gina's upcoming movie "Haywire" here in her submission to the NY Daily News.

Thanks to the boys and girls at "Wildside Cinema" Facebook group, I was able to get suggestions from hardcore movie fans about what some of Cynthia's best movies were.  Here's a short list to get you started, with some clips to go with it as well.

In my research, I found this great fight scene from her first movie, "Yes, Madam/Huang jia shi jie", also known as "Police Assassins".  In it, Cynthia plays Inspector Carrie Morris of Scotland Yard, fighting crime with Hong Kong action star, Michelle Yeoh.  The final fight will blow you away.  If you only watch one clip from the selections below, let it be this one.

You can see the final fight of "Yes, Madam/Police Assassins" here.

One movie that was listed was an outing by Golden Harvest called China O'Brien.  It comes across as a 'Walking Tall' plotline with a woman instead.

Here's the trailer to China O'Brein.

"Triple Cross" is another movie that was mentioned by fans to be a good one.  It was called "Angel of Fury" in the US.  Here's the trailer.

Yet another respected movie by fans is "Righting Wrongs", retitled "Above the Law".  Here, she fights "Karate Diva" Karen Shepard, a notable martial arts fighter with some movies, stuntwork, and TV shows under her belt as well.  Karen turns her belt into a chain whip.  But you know by now when Cynthia gets a hold of a staff, it's lights out.  Here's the chase and fight with Karen Sheperd.

And here's a final clip from "Magic Crystal", where she takes on the acclaimed martial artist Richard Norton.  She busts out some Eagle Claw here in the final boss fight of the movie.

Other movies fans noted were "Undefeatable", "Night Vision", "Lady Dragon", "Rage and Honor", "X-Treme Fighter", "Guardian Angel", and "Fast Getaway".

As Gina Carano's movie debut in "Haywire" looms, I think its important for fight fans and movie buffs to remember the works of Cynthia Rothrock, one of cinema's first legitimate American female martial arts stars.  A true pioneer for female martial arts movie stars.

To find out more about Cynthia Rothrock, check out her official site CynthiaRothrock.org.

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Bowie Ibarra is the author of the "Down the Road" zombie horror series.  His MMA-themed book, "Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire", is a story of a stable of fighters from the early days of mainstream MMA.  It is available in paperback and Kindle.

His book, 'Codename: La Lechusa' is the story of a single mom who is also an assassin by night.  You can check out the book, available in paperback and e-reader here.

You can also network with Bowie at his website, ZombieBloodFights.com.

FIGHTS: Gina Carano poised to be the first legit female action star

You've seen the previews.  You've seen the action.  And you're about to see Gina Carano make her way from the steel cage to the silver screen January 20, 2012.

A fun article from the most awesome website With Leather by Brandon talked up her upcoming movie role with a photo shoot for a GQ.  You can check out the write up and those pics here.

Michelle Rodriguez

The article and the trailers got me thinking about the other 'tough girls' we've seen in cinema.  Jennifer Garner had a run in the TV show 'Alias' and movie 'Electra'.  Angelina Jolie as Laura Croft: Tomb Raider.  And others like Halle Berry, Uma Thurmond, Michelle Rodriguez, and even Jessica Alba, just to name a few.

Now these ladies did pretty good in their roles in big budget action flicks.  They got to perform next to big names and make big bucks.  But truth is, though they had to commit themselves to strict (in a Hollywood actor sense of 'strict') physical regimen, they are still actresses who did a good job honing their acting craft by committing to working out, training in some martial arts styles, and being in 'fighting' shape for the role.

Cynthia Rothrock

"Mouse"

There have also been martial arts ladies that have made it to the screen, but without the budgets, script, or strong supporting cast.  Cynthia Rothrock made many martial arts films as early as the 80s through the 2000's.  She's got legit martial arts talent.  Even 'Mouse' Krasnoo, prominently featured in the early UFC shows as a 'fan' in the crowd had a short run in martial arts movies.  She has some legit martial arts street cred as well.

Now, we're talking martial arts women here in the west operating in low budget movies.  Michelle Yeoh and Ziyi Zyhang made some bones here in America, but they got their start in China, like Jackie Chan.

Michelle Yeoh

But Gina seems to be the first American woman with legit martial arts skill comparable or better than Rothrock in her prime to have such a massive movie deal with such a star-powered cast that didn't have to go overseas to get a movie.

Ziyi Ziyhang

In my humble opinion, if this movie pays out to the studios well, I think Carano is poised to be the next big time female action heroine on a level like Stallone or Schwartzenegger.  And the first female since Rothrock to actually have real martial arts credibility.

Sure, there's been many guys from combat sports to make a run at movies as far back as Roddy Piper in 'They Live'.  Even further back, Olympian Johnny Weismueller played Tarzan back in the day.

Most recently, combat sport legend Randy Couture was in 'Scorpion King 2', Kimbo Slice has made several movies at this point.  And Dwayne "Rock" Johnson is getting paid big money before and after his run with Disney.

Gina just blasting a chick

Gina just 'blasting' a dude

But Carano's a unique mix of looks, true skill, and acting.  And considering the first five minutes of the movie that's been released, they're actually giving her lines of dialogue.  That's saying a lot, considering most athletes are given minimal dialogue.

Guy fighters to movies are a dime a dozen.

Gina's a rare coin.

You can see the first Five Minutes of the film here.

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Read the ZombieBloodFights.com review of the action movie here.

Let us not forget one of the greatest women in martial arts movies that opened the door for Gina.  Check out the Cynthia Rothrock retrospective with ZombieBloodFights here.

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Bowie Ibarra is the author of the "Down the Road" zombie horror series.  His MMA-themed book, "Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire", is a story of a stable of fighters from the early days of mainstream MMA.  It is available in paperback and Kindle.

His book, 'Codename: La Lechusa' is the story of a single mom who is also an assassin by night.  You can check out the book, available in paperback and e-reader here.

You can also network with Bowie at his website, ZombieBloodFights.com.