One Great Fight: Kham vs. Everyone in The Protector

Battle: Kham battles his way to a restaurant atop a multi-floored building

Film: The Protector (Tom-Yum Goong) (2005)

Not my favorite Tony Jaa film, but definitely one of my favorite battles. More of a stunt experiment than a fight, this amazing sequence is a single steady-cam shot, lasting about four minutes. Tony Jaa, in the role of Kham, jumps, kicks, hits, and climbs his way to the top of a massive building, beating down everyone in his path. Don't miss it!

One Great Fight: Ash vs. Himself in Evil Dead 2

Battle: Ash faces off against his own possessed hand

Film: Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)

Bruce Campbell goes above and beyond in this classic comedic horror scene, which takes place in a small kitchen. His possessed hand does everything it can to kill him, but in the end it's Bruce that gets the upper hand... by losing one. My favorite moment- when his hand knocks him out, and attempts to pull his body across the floor to a meat cleaver. The hands-eye view is great!

One Great Fight: Oh Dae-Su vs. Henchmen in Oldboy

Battle: Oh Dae-Su fights his way down a hallway filled with armed men

Film: Oldboy (2003)

Chan-wook Park's Oldboy is not for everyone. This Korean film is gritty, violent, and shocking. It also contains one amazing fight scene, captured in a single take. Oh Dae-Su fights his way down a long hallway filled with armed henchmen, brutally dispatching them as the camera follows the action alongside him, as if its capturing footage of a side-scrolling fighting game.

One Great Fight: The Man with No Name vs. the Baxters in Fistful of Dollars

Battle: The Man with No Name guns down four Baxter family goons
Film: A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

"Get three coffins ready," The Stranger advises Piripero the coffin maker. One confrontation and a second's worth of gunfire later, The Stanger saunters back past Piripero. "My mistake. Four coffins." Clint Eastwood settles into his defining role as The Man with No Name in this classic Sergio Leone western. There are plenty of gunfights to enjoy in this film, but the dry humor of this one hits me just right.

One Great Fight: Blade vs. Vampire Blood Ravers in Blade

Battle: Blade takes on a horde of party vampires

Film: Blade (1998)

The moment the Pump Panel Reconstruction mix of New Order's Confusion started thumping, I knew I was in for a wild ride at the beginning of Blade. During the fight, Blade uses everything from shotguns to spikes to a boomerang blade to send a host of vampires to their crispy doom. Beyond the excellent death effects, the fight choreography is both brutal and fun. Wesley Snipes certainly seems to be enjoying himself.

Cavebabble Episode 89: 2010- The Year in Film

As the end of 2010 draws near, we take a month-by-month look back at the major film releases of the year, share our opinions on them, and present our choices for movie of the year. Join us! This episode is brought to you by Shhh!

Episode 89

Finished recording

We just finished up recording our latest episode, The Year in Film. With so much to cover, this is a long one. I've not started editing yet, so look for the episode to be posted tomorrow. Time for a three-hour break to watch my Denver Broncos lose again...

One Great Fight: Kirk vs. Khan in Wrath of Khan

Battle: Kirk and Khan in a blind cat-and-mouse starship fight within a nebula

Film: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

One of my top ten films of all time, Wrath of Khan has many great moments. This final space battle, however, is my favorite. Khan's superior intellect is tasked by Kirk's abilities as a captain, with deadly results. A classic in every sense.

One Great Fight: Kong vs. Biplanes in King Kong

Battle: Kong swats biplanes from the sky while perched atop the Empire State Building

Film: King Kong (2005)

It wasn't the first time Kong battled airplanes on film, but it certainly is the most impressive. The sense of scale in Peter Jackson's version of this epic battle is amazing. Vertigo-inducing shots from cockpits and wings are combined with a visceral display of Kong's power and agility.

One Great Fight: Jackie Chan vs. Bodyguards in First Strike

Battle: Jackie Chan takes on an army of bodyguards at a memorial hall

Film: Police Story 4: First Strike (1996)

In typical Chan style, Jackie uses everyday objects to fend off his attackers. The highlight of this great comic sequence is his use of a large step ladder. Very memorable.

No Show This Week

Cavebabble is cancelled this week so that we may celebrate Kevin and Amber's engagement. What? Did I just write that? I did! Kevin is in town until Tuesday, and indeed, he proposed yesterday. We shall regroup next week for our holiday episode. Join us then!

One Great Fight: Shu Lien vs. Jen in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Battle: Shu Lien uses a variety of weapons in an attempt to regain the Green Destiny sword from Jen

Film: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)

The brilliance of Michelle Yeoh shines through in this masterful fight sequence. She uses it all: Dual swords, spear, hooks, iron bar, two-handed broadsword. What's not to like?

One Great Fight: Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Vader in Star Wars

Battle: Obi-Wan becomes stronger than Darth can possibly imagine following a lightsaber duel

Film: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)

The most famous of all light saber duels, and just the beginning of Obi-Wan's influence on the outcome of the battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. I was ten when this film was first in theaters, and was shocked when Ben's cloak hit the floor.

One Great Fight: Robin Hood vs. Sir Guy in The Adventures of Robin Hood

Battle: Robin and Sir Guy face off with swords in a castle

Film: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

One of the most famous sword fights in film history, and also one of the most copied. Iconic moments include candle slashing and the camera focusing on the shadows of the duelists fighting along a wall.

Cavebabble Episode 88: The Many Hoods of Robin

In Hollywood and beyond, the legend of Robin Hood has been treated many different ways on film. Tonight, we take look at five ways the hooded man and his merry band of forest-dwelling outlaws have been presented. This episode is brought to you by Legends.

Episode 88

One Great Fight: Trinity vs. Police in The Matrix

Battle: Unarmed Trinity wipes out virtual cops

Film: The Matrix (1999)

"No, lieutenant, your men are already dead," deadpans Agent Smith, introducing a fight both applauded and parodied ever since. Trinity dodges bullets, runs up walls, and hovers in midair before delivering a brutal kick. It's the first moment the audience realizes this isn't your average action film. Something is not quite normal about this world.