The Absurd Action Franchise: No Retreat, No Surrender

 

No Retreat, No Surrender (1985/1986)

Kurt McKinney’s character, Jason, takes on the "Muscles from Brussels" himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme, who plays the lethal Russian, Ivan. 

This movie is absolutely worth seeing for the tribute it pays to Bruce Lee. In a standout scene, Jason visits Lee’s actual grave in Seattle to give a moving speech about how the legend inspired him. It’s a moment of "mad respect" that grounds the movie’s supernatural premise.

It serves as a stark reminder of Lee's own philosophy:

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."

This deep reverence was likely driven by director Corey Yuen. Yuen knew Lee personally, having worked as a stuntman (appearing as a Japanese fighter) in Fist of Fury alongside Hidy Ochiai. As a member of the Seven Little Fortunes, Yuen was the perfect person to honor that legacy.

If you can survive the first 45 minutes of slow-burn training and '80s tropes, the movie takes a wild turn. Jason experiences a hallucination where Bruce Lee becomes his Sifu. In a nod to true fans, Jason calls him by his Chinese birth name, “Li Jun Fan.” This "Ghost Bruce" is played by Kim Tai-chung (1957–2011) in his final acting role. Kim was the high-level practitioner who famously doubled for Lee in Game of Death.

The arc of Jason’s training follows Lee’s philosophy of self-perseverance to overcome inner doubt. By the 1:05:00 mark, it’s clear McKinney really did his homework; his movement and mannerisms are a dedicated re-creation of the classic Fist of Fury brawls.

The low budget is obvious: the "grand finale" takes place in a high school gym. However, the ending is anything but small. Calling JCVD a "bad guy" is an understatement; he’s an unstoppable force of nature. When Jason and Ivan clash in the final fight, the epic payoff makes the entire wait worth it.

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No Retreat, No Surrender 2 (1987)

The second NRNS has nothing to do with the first. It stars Loren Avedon (a TKD 9th-degree black belt and Grand Master) as Scott, who travels to Cambodia to save his Vietnamese girlfriend.

Cynthia Rothrock appears as Terry. 

We see her beating someone up in a ring early on, but her skills are unfortunately sidelined for Loren’s character. Scott takes on the Vietnamese army to save his girlfriend, Sulin (played by Patra Wanthivanond). Terry pops up again as the helicopter operator, aiding Scott and his friend Mac on their heroic mission. Instead of a one-man army, Scott now has a crew of mercenaries helping him save the day. Matthias Hues, the man people call when they need a big, blond villain, plays Yuri, a hardcore killer and the main foe.

So, why did Loren replace McKinney? In a word: He explains that JCVD talked him out of it. It's during a great interview with Scott Adkins in The Art of Action - Kurt KcKinney - Episode 27.

The movie did well, leading to an epic showdown where Scott and Mac save the two women. Is it worth seeing? For me, the film ultimately falters for the same reason the original ending of Righting Wrongs did: Corey Yuen chose to kill off Cynthia Rothrock’s character. It’s a decision that weakens the emotional payoff and sidelines one of the franchise’s biggest strengths. Some fans don’t mind it, but for me, it dilutes the ending's impact and makes the film difficult to revisit.

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No Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers (1990)

The third movie is better than the second. Loren stars again, but as a new character named Will instead of Scott—because why not? At about the 11-minute mark, a stagehand’s mic is even visible at the top of the screen.

Will and his brother Casey (played by Keith Vitali, a former No. 1 ranked karate champion) clash as they separately attempt to find their father’s killer. 

In reality, this movie is a showcase for two epic martial artists and would appeal to anyone who liked Double Impact. One element that makes this superior to the second film is that instead of a "damsel in distress," Wanda Acuna plays Maria, who shines as an equal to Will and Casey.

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The King of the Kickboxers (1990)

Time for a deeper dive into this franchise wormhole with the fourth of these "related" movies: The King of the Kickboxers. Here, Loren Avedon plays Jake (apparently, the names Scott and Will were already trademarked).

Jake is the most idiotic undercover cop who ever lived. In real life, he’d either be fired or killed very quickly. This time, he's avenging his brother’s death. Billy Blanks appears as the "big bad" killer, and Jake heads to Thailand to fight him.

The storyline is... interesting. Fighters are acting in action films and then going missing, so naturally, a random police station in America sends a detective to Thailand to investigate, because that’s exactly how international law enforcement works. Keith Cooke (Wushi, TKD, and karate pro) makes an appearance as Jack's martial arts trainer, Prang. 

The acting is awful, but the fights are absolutely off the hook.

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What did we learn from this franchise?

If you see See-Yuen Ng and a Yuen Production, all you need for a "sequel" is a title—and sometimes, you don't even need that.

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Why Couples Should Try Hotpot

Years ago, I had hotpot for the first time in Asia. 

It looked really different and difficult to eat.

Luckily, my friend was Chinese, and explained the gist:

Order soup. Add meat and vegetables. 

Then, my friend told me the origin of hotpot. It made me decide that someday, I’d take my future wife to enjoy hotpot. 

So, on my first Valentine’s Day married, I did just that. 

Before our story...

Aesthetics of Hotpot

The divided pot is the hallmark of Sichuan-style hotpot. 

It’s often referred to as a Yuan Yang pot (鸳鸯锅).

The name “Yuan Yang” translates to “Mandarin Ducks.” 

In Chinese culture, these ducks are symbols of a perfect, inseparable pair, much like the two contrasting broths served side-by-side.

 

The Split

The design is a practical solution for groups with different palates. 

The two sides:

“Red”

A spicy, numbing broth loaded with Sichuan peppercorns, dried chilies, and beef tallow. It’s designed for bold flavor and a “mala” (numbing-hot) sensation.

“White”

A mild, savory bone broth or mushroom soup, often featuring goji berries, dates, and ginger. This acts as a palate cleanser or a safe haven for those who can't handle the heat.

 

Why the Symbol?

The Yuan Yang pot is a physical manifestation of Dualism.

The ancient Chinese concept that the universe is governed by two opposing but complementary forces. 

Light and dark with balance found somewhere in between.

The Philosophy of the Pot

In Chinese thought, balance is everything. The hotpot serves as a microcosm of this harmony.

The Conflict of Extremes: 

• The Yang – the red, fiery, aggressive, and stimulating heat

• The Yin – the white, cooling, nurturing, and calming broth

The Shared Center

By placing these opposites in a single vessel, the pot suggests that harmony can coexist even in chaos. The curved divider keeps the broths distinct while allowing them to share the same heat, warmth, and space: separate, yet part of one experience. 

On a human level, this creates a social balance. People with very different tastes and tolerances can sit at the same table, each finding what they need. The pot becomes a bridge between those who seek the “burn” and those who seek “comfort.”

 

                                       

Two broths carry deep meaning:

The red side represents Qi energy and vitality designed to stimulate the body and drive out “dampness.”

The clear side represents Jing foundation and essence, providing balance and restoration as the spicy broth pushes its limits.

Together, they remind you that intensity only matters because relief exists beside it. 

Each flavor defines the other.

They exist in the same circle.

 

Why I Wanted Hotpot on February 14, 2026

"Beyond the delicious food, I wanted to show my wife a metaphor for a successful marriage."

 

1. The Geometry of “One out of Two”

In a marriage, you are two distinct individuals with different temperaments, “spices,” and backgrounds. 

The hotpot represents the union of opposites.

• Just like the divider in the pot, a healthy marriage has boundaries that allow each person to keep their “flavor.”
• Yet, you are both contained within the same circle, heated by the same fire, and sharing the same experience. 

“We are different, but we are one.”

2. The Ritual of “Cooking Together”

Unlike a standard dinner where the chef does the work and you just consume, hotpot is collaborative.

• You have to communicate: 

        “Is the meat ready?” 

        “Do you want more mushrooms?”

        “Wait… how do I do this?!”

• It’s a dance of giving and taking. In Chinese culture, placing a perfectly cooked morsel from the pot into your partner's bowl is a high-level “love language.” 

"This is an act of service and care that mirrors the small, daily ways you’ll look out for each other in your life together."

3. Balance (The Yin and Yang)

Marriage is rarely 100% “spicy” (passion, excitement, conflict) or 100% “mild” (peace, routine, comfort).

A life that is only spicy burns you out. 

A life that is only mild becomes bland.

By choosing the dual pot, you recognize that your partnership will need both. 

"You need the fiery moments to keep things vital and the calm moments to nourish your souls."

4. The “Mandarin Duck” Blessing

The Yuan Yang pot is named after Mandarin Ducks. In East Asian tradition, these ducks are the ultimate symbol of conjugal fidelity because they are believed to mate for life.

• By sharing a Yuan Yang pot, you effectively perform a traditional “toast” to your lifelong commitment.

 

"That's why, when I took my wife to get hotpot for our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, it was a philosophical ceremony about how two different people can create a harmonious, balanced life together without losing who they are."

Did I win Husband of the Year?

Turns out my wife hates hotpot. But at least she knows why we went now.

Drop a comment about your most memorable Valentine's Day.

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