BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

drewgarlick Once in your life you come across a movie that you feel that was made just for you and no one else! That movie reaches out and grabs your soul and shakes it to its core. The Sensei is that movie for me. I have never experienced a movie that touches more chords in my life at one time than this movie. I too am an HIV+, openly gay, martial artist who struggles to attain his black belt and more importantly to find his way in not only the martial arts community but through life to find the happiness and peace the martial arts is supposed to help the practitioner attain. Even writing this review I become choked up thinking about the all that both characters have gone through with their families, communities, and themselves. I may be a bit prejudiced in favor of this movie but I believe that EVERY martial arts instructor should show this movie to their students. The martial arts action is also quite real in its movement and outcome as the main fight scene indicates. But it is not the physical battles that make this movie worth watching; it is the use of the martial arts to help the characters deal with and overcome their mental and spiritual struggles. One of the best movies ever written.

disdressed12 this martial arts film is also a film about about prejudice,hypocrisy,intolerance and violence.those are some weighty issues.and the film doesn't shy away from them.in fact,it wades right into them head-on.there is one scenes that depicts someone being savagely beaten.the worst of it isn't shown,but is is implied and you do hear it off camera.this is no fluff piece bu any stretch of the imagination.it's well done and doesn't sugar coat anything.but you get to see some touching moments as well.it would be wrong to compare this to The Karate Kid.they do both have similarities but this one has a much stronger message whereas in my opinion The karate Kid was more focused on the entertainment aspect.when you go into his film,expect to be jarred.for me,The Sensei is an 8/10

jason-gould I am a martial arts instructor in Boston, MA. I just watched this movie with a group of my adult students. I was very pleased with the film, it's ambition, and Ms. Innosanto's vision to make a martial arts movie that represented the best the martial arts have to offer. The film gracefully takes on some very tough subjects: racism, social phobias, bullying, the challenges of family dynamics, and more. Well written and beautifully shot, this is a great film for anyone looking for a martial-arts-themed movie that goes beyond its genre of "punching and kicking" to get at the "battles" of real life. I loved this movie, and strongly recommend it to anyone interested in martial arts, community activism, and social change. Remarkable effort -- I would strongly recommend this film be used as a tool for teaching respect and tolerance in martial arts clubs, religious organizations, social groups, and even schools!

bnhweston Both my husband and I saw "The Sensei" in Seattle, WA on 10/24/08. We were touched by the emotion in the film and think the casting was excellent. We appreciated that there were parts of the story that were NOT shown and left to the viewers imagination - that doesn't happen very often anymore. We are bombarded with gore and detail - not in this film. The ending was beautifully done and could have even been a bit longer.We also enjoyed the art in the film - especially "Karen's" art. The only downside to this film was that there were several parts that were just too dark to be able to really see what was going on. Some of the outdoor night scenes were especially tough to decipher.Congratulations for a job well done. We will watch for it on DVD.