Shaw Brothers' kung fu classics take a bow

Hong Kong's incredibly prolific and vibrant filmmaking industry basically started in 1930 with the Shaw brothers, Run Run and Runme. Their kung fu movies kick serious ass and include many classics of the genre, notably Chang Cheh's "The One-Armed Swordsman" and Lau Kar-leung's "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin." Ask any numchuck slinger or grindhouse survivor.

The Dragon Dynasty label (Genius Products and The Weinstein Company) releases both of these kung fu adventures on Tuesday, along with "King Boxer" (aka "Five Fingers of Death") and Lau Kar-leung's "My Young Auntie." They're part of the promising "Shaw Brothers Classic Collection."

The DVDs look like first-class efforts, featuring interviews with most of the key talent. Commentators include Quentin Tarantino ("King Boxer," One-Armed Swordsman"), Elvis Mitchell ("King Boxer," "Young Auntie"), the RZA of Wu-tang Clan ("36th Chamber") and Andy Klein.

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