18 Fingers of Death!

18 Fingers of Death! is a mockumentary-style film that expertly combines humor, action and satirical elements. Released in 2006, the film seeks to pay homage to classic martial-arts films, infusing elements of comedy to create a unique, laughter-filled experience for its audience. With the direction and screenplay by James Lew, the movie is truly a one of a kind comedy-action masterpiece. The cast features respected actors like Shane Aaron, Koji Abe, Michael Andersen and John Arrington, emphasizing both the martial-arts and comedic aspects prominently.

The film centers around one of the filmmaking industry's underdogs, Buford Lee portrayed by James Lew, counted as one of the greatest B-movie martial artists of the 80s. The nomenclature of the film, "18 Fingers of Death!", bears a direct relation to Buford's desire to make his 18th film, and not a reference to a bizarre martial arts technique or fighting style as one might have initially speculated. This pivotal narrative structure steers the whole plot, making it engaging and intriguing.

Despite his passion for martial arts, Buford never got the fame nor recognition he longed for. Whilst his movies were acclaimed in distant lands like the Phillipines, his home country, the United States, failed to acknowledge his cinematic contributions. The film takes an exciting turn when Buford decides to try his luck once more, aiming to produce, direct and star in his own film named "18 Fingers of Death!".

As he embarks on this filmmaking journey, he is followed by a young and zealous amateur filmmaker named Ronald Mck (played by Maurice Patton). Ronald sees Buford as his idol and wants to document his hero's journey in making this film. The story unfolds beautifully, delving into the struggles of Buford, his relationship with Ronald, and the challenges of creating a film with limited resources.

Within this humorous film, lies an earnest depiction of the American dream and the resilience, determination, and grit needed to chase after one's passion – no matter the setbacks faced. It artistically showcases the reality of independent filmmakers and actors who strive to etch out a name for themselves in an immensely competitive industry. The struggle for funding, casting, scriptwriting, and so many other factors are brilliantly woven into the storyline, providing a refreshingly realistic depiction of creating a movie in Hollywood, albeit amidst vivid moments of comedic relief.

Aside from the main narrative, "18 Fingers of Death!" also hosts an array of side characters each with their own quirkiness, adding a colorful palate of comic relief to the overall narrative. Subplots such as the love interest of Buford Lee, Sushi Cue (played by Lisa Arturo) - the bad puns making Sushi instructor, and Rowboat (played by Lorenzo Lamas) - the coveted action star, add more depth and humor to the storyline.

With a blend of fight scenes, a fascinating combination of martial arts and slapstick humor along with occasional spoofs of classic martial arts films, the movie tends to appeal to a wide variety of audiences. The surprising plot twist, hilarious punchlines, and action sequences give "18 Fingers of Death!" an identity of its own, making it stand out in the comedy-action genre.

To sum up, "18 Fingers of Death!" is a comedy-action film that brilliantly parodies martial arts films. It introduces a unique blend of Kung Fu fights and Hollywood shenanigans, told through the perspective of the eternally optimistic yet perennially unsuccessful Buford Lee. Despite the comedic veil, it carries profound undertones that shed light on the reality of the film industry. With an interesting lineup of characters, an engaging plotline, and a series of hilarious yet action-packed sequences powered by the performances of Shane Aaron, Koji Abe, Michael Andersen, John Arrington, and more, the film promises a roller coaster ride of laughter and thrill – a definite must-watch!