Dave Kehr's NY Times DVD column

The new Image release of THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN gets the prime spot in Dave Kehr's DVD column in The New York Times today. It's always nice when the "paper of record" comes around on crucial items like this. :D

ADDENDUM: Kehr's description makes me want to double dip on this one. It sounds like a better product, image-wise and extras-wise, than the R3 Celestial disc.

I can thank Kehr's lavish praise for Hong Kong movies in the Chicago Tribune circa 1993 for introducing me to Asian cinema in the first place. Therefore, thanks!

I'm thinking the same, even though I bought the Celestial less than a year ago. It looks really good over at DVD Beaver...

DVDBeaver screencaptures (scroll down)

The visual quality of THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN is astonishing! Whatever old, grainy videotape copies, or even other DVD's, could safely be stored away for good after purchasing the Dragon Dynasty version. The scene where Gordon Liu has the knives poised at his sides while carrying the water buckets was a revelation. The commentary track with Andy Klein (not familiar with him) and The RZA (great soundtrack to GHOST DOG) is best listened to while smoking some positive vibrations.

Andy Klein is a pretty good L.A.-based film critic and also a Mobian, although it's been a year since he posted anything here. Hopefully, he's still lurking.

Does this release have the original English dub found on the old Crash DVD release of MASTER KILLER?

One of the audio options listed is English mono, which suggests that it's the original English dub. Also included are Cantonese and Mandarin mono audio tracks. If I remember correctly the Cantonese audio is the preferred audio.

I bought this disc yesterday and checked a little of the English dub and it sure sounds like the original.

Yep, it's the original dub.

Great! Thanks for the confirmation!

Okay, I weakened on what is now my triple-dip on this title on DVD. It was worth it. The picture quality is a significant improvement on the HK Celestial disc. For the first time, I'm noticing what a nice clear day it was when they filmed the last fight, allowing for detailed views of the mountain landscape. The documentary from the HK disc is included here, along with quite a few trailers for 36th Chamber and related films. They even have a Master Killer TV Spot! The RZA was a very enthusiastic and informed commentator and I really enjoyed hearing him kicking back with Klein and sharing info. I dunno about the Wu Tang concert clip though...maybe somebody can explain the significance to me.

And yeah, I'm another one of those heretics with a weakness for the English Master Killer dub. I'm happy to report that it sounds just fine here.