On Syfy (Sky channel 129, Virgin Media channel 135, Talk Talk channel 22) from Dec 17th at 10pm
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jackie Chan kicking at your nose…
There won’t be many silent nights this December as Syfy turn the season of goodwill to all men – except those pesky bad guys – into a Kung Fu Christmas with a host of awesome martial arts movies. So, get writing to Santa to ask for a karate suit and a pair of nunchucks as they prepare to judo chop and high-kick their way into 2011.
If you’re dreaming of a fight Christmas, Santa’s got a real treat for you in the shape of a sack full of JACKIE CHAN movies. The great man is on a tour of Europe, looking for mysterious treasure that’s been protected by an order of monks in ARMOUR OF GOD (Dec 21). In POLICE STORY (Dec 20), he’s a cop who finds himself framed for murder after he gets on the wrong side of a drug lord. Does he clear his name? Well, here’s a bit of a clue – Syfy are also showing the action-packed sequel POLICE STORY 2 straight after!
It appears the Christmas Day festive spirit may be getting to Chan in THE DRUNKEN MASTER (Dec 25), and he even dabbles in period drama for PROJECT A (Dec 17), which sees him battling 19th century pirates, but don’t worry, he’s still more action than Austen.
Chan isn’t the only martial arts star of wonder this festive season. You also get to see JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME in action in KICKBOXER (Dec 21), in which he stars as – wait for it – a kickboxer(!) out to avenge his injured brother. If you can’t get enough of the Muscles from Brussels, he plays identical twins in DOUBLE IMPACT (Dec 24). One brother is a petty crook, the other stays on the right side of the law, but they’re both experts at delivering a high kick.
Of course, no martial arts season would be complete without Bruce Lee, and Syfy have found room to squeeze him under the tree too. His seasonal highlights include GAME OF DEATH (Dec 18), which centres on a movie star who fakes his own demise. Conspiracy theorists might like to know that Lee died before he could finish the movie, while film buffs might also spot the intentional similarity between the actor’s yellow jumpsuit, and the one worn by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill.
There’s more Lee action in FIST OF FURY (Dec 19), in which he plays a martial arts student investigating the death of his teacher. You can also find out how he compares with another legend as he squares up to CHUCK NORRIS in WAY OF THE DRAGON (Dec 19).
Find out more at www.syfy.co.uk