Films like The Spiritual Boxer.

The Spiritual Boxer (1975) reads as Warm, breathless, measured kung-fu / shaw-brothers, inventive in texture. Ambivalent, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Roy Colt & Winchester Jack (1970) poster
1. Roy Colt & Winchester Jack1970

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979) poster
2. Dance of the Drunk Mantis1979

Keeps the intimate, personal stakes; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Buddhist Fist (1980) poster
3. The Buddhist Fist1980

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The 36 Deadly Styles (1979) poster
4. The 36 Deadly Styles1979

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Lady Is the Boss (1983) poster
5. The Lady Is the Boss1983

Keeps the intimate, personal stakes; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

The Leg Fighters (1980) poster
6. The Leg Fighters1980

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Mystery of Chess Boxing (1979) poster
7. The Mystery of Chess Boxing1979

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Xica da Silva (1976) poster
8. Xica da Silva1976

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Dirty Ho (1979) poster
9. Dirty Ho1979

Keeps the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978) poster
10. Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog1978

Keeps the intimate, personal stakes; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof (1968) poster
11. A Sky Full of Stars for a Roof1968

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Dolemite (1975) poster
12. Dolemite1975

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the intimate, personal stakes — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Spiritual Boxer’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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