2019, for me and this website, have been, for lack of a better word, directionless. The year started with a miscarriage at 3 months, and I’ve been reeling ever since, and the website has as well. There were some really good moments, like the interview with Jesse V Johnson, a class act of a director who continues to put out great action movies that have different flavors from others out there (It was crazy on my end, conducting the interview in my car. In the Rain. After changing a tire.).

My film El Gato Negro: Prey was shown to applause at several film festivals, and I’m grateful to the talent in front of and behind the camera to bring the Latino Superhero to life, and now the hero himself has found a home on Apple + with a new series on the way from Robert Rodriguez!

And of course the movies, from classics like The One-Armed Swordsman to Ip Man 4, there’s been a lot to see, which leads me to what comes next in 2020…

Back to the Beginning. And the End.

March 10th, 2020 will mark the 10 year anniversary of this website, created at a time when there weren’t any websites that reviewed martial arts films exclusively, and none that exposed folks to the great indie short films from guys like Vlad Rimburg, Emmanuel Manzanares, Maria Tran and so many more. I was proud and humbled to get to know these fine folks, and many in the stunt community over the years. I also got to know some regular readers over the years, and I hope they’re doing well and still following martial arts films, as they are some knowledgable and fine folks.

2020 marks 10 years of Kiai-Kick, and will also mark its’ end. I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish, but my family calls for more of my time, and I’ve got some films scripts that are coming to life in 2020, and there’s just not enough time to do it all and keep the website operating at the standards I had set for it when I created it. Sometime in late 2020 I will write my last review for this site. Don’t worry, as with over 300+ film reviews this site isn’t going anywhere, as I hope folks will use it to research and seek out some films, like I did when I decided to start this website. This year I will concentrate on reviewing the absolute classic films, and the best of the new ( after so many reviews I STILL haven’t reviewed Drunken Master 2, Mr. Canton and Lady Rose or Pedicab Driver so yeah there’s still a LOT out there!)

Now having said all of that, I will still review films from time to time for another excellent website. I’ll fill you in on where later this year, but it’s a like-minded site that is simply excellent. I also have to thank the many companies who sent me their films and helped me set up interviews, like the fine folks at WellGoUSA, Afterlight Pictures, Arrow Video, Dragon Dynasty (remember them?), Xlrator Media, and so many more. You’ve been great to me, and I’ve enjoyed working with you. Hopefully we can work together one last year!

This has been a fun ride that took me to places I never thought I’d be, and gave me the chance to become, at least a little bit, part of a fantastic culture of people, martial artists, actors and stunt people whom I will always beat the drums for their success. I thank all of you for letting me become part of your world in the smallest of ways. And a special thanks to the late, GREAT Darren Shahlavi, who was the first stunt performer I had ever contacted, who loved the idea of my website when it was just that: An idea that had no solid form.

I gave it form and it took on a life of its own, but as life itself, it must come to an end. 10 years ago I welcomed you all to my island, in the hopes you’d hang around. And you did. And my–our–island grew. Now I leave it to you. Thanks for all of your comments, questions and well wishes. You’ve all been great.

Welcome to a New Year of Adventures!

Michael S Moore

The Brother Who Loves Kung-Fu!