Cynthia Rothrock Movies
The self-proclaimed Queen of Martial Arts Films and Kung-fu Video Queen, quick-fisted Cynthia Rothrock has been crushing skulls and thrilling international action fans since her high kicking debut in Yes, Madam in 1985. Her lightning speed and adrenalized bone-crushing rivals that of such well-known action stars as Steven Seagal and Chuck Norris -- only Rothrock can take down an army of baddies in three-inch heels.Born in Delaware in 1957, Rothrock gained appreciation for martial arts from an early age. At 13, she began taking lessons, and soon after was encouraged by parents and teachers to enter competitions to showcase her unique abilities. Soon earning her first black belt of at least five in varying disciplines, Rothrock would eventually earn a coveted spot in the Black Belt Hall of Fame and Kung-Fu Insider Hall of Fame. She began taking interest and developing skills in multiple disciplines, including Northern Shaolin (classical Chinese), Eagle Claw (Chinese), and Tang Soo Do (Korean) to name a few. Mastering various techniques and disciplines ultimately led Rothrock to becoming the undefeated World Karate Champion in both forms and weapons competitions from 1981 to 1985, and would eventually catch the attention of Hong Kong-based Golden Harvest Productions, who cast Rothrock opposite kung-fu queen Michelle Yeoh in Yes, Madam (1985). Though she had appeared in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial in the early '80s, it was Madam that sent Rothrock's cinematic career into overdrive with Hong Kong audiences.
Attempting to broaden her appeal to action fans in her native country, Golden Harvest backed China O' Brien and China O' Brien II in 1990. Though her efforts failed to draw significant box-office returns in the U.S., Rothrock's more than 30 cinematic ventures proved to have a lucrative shelf life on the home video market. Working tirelessly with some of the most prolific actors and directors of varying genres (including the likes of Sammo Hung, Enter the Dragon director Robert Clouse, and John Schlesinger) Rothrock has released an average of three films a year since her introduction to international audiences in 1990. Throughout her cinematic career, Rothrock has continually appeared in some of the most prolific martial arts publications in the world, constantly promoting and reinforcing her image as a deadly beauty with a killer kick.
~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Join martial arts masters Sam Deratani and Cynthia Rothrock as they offer invaluable information on self-defense for the non-martial-artist in this video that teaches the ten basic principles of non-submission. Few instructors have the remarkable experience and background as Deratani and Rothrock, and by instructing viewers on how to react in a series of potentially dangerous confrontations, they give you the power and the knowledge to defend yourself against a wide range of physical attacks. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Sam Deratani, (more)
A woman starting a new life discovers her old life won't go away so easily in this action-drama. Julie Cosgrove (Cynthia Rothrock) was an Federal intelligence agent working on a top secret assignment when she found herself in the middle of an ambush gone wrong which led to the death of the man she loved. Emotionally devastated, Cosgrove turned her back on the government, assumed a new identity, and began a new life. However, she unwittingly becomes involved with a group of people who have been backed into a corner by crime kingpins. Cosgrove feels compelled to help them, but by doing so, she finds herself in deeper than she expected, and tips her hand to her former colleagues, who now want to silence her permanently. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock
- 1999
As Hong Kong action movies grow in popularity, so do their male movie stars. But, for every Jackie Chan or Jet Li there is a female equivalent who rarely receives as much attention. Toby Russell, director of Cinema of Vengeance, finally gives the women their due in Top Fighter 2: Deadly China Dolls. Russell has assembled a top collection of martial artists who make their living on film. Michelle Yeoh, Yukari Oshima, and Moon Lee all make an appearance. After showing clips of the actresses' work, Russell interviews each one about the struggles and rewards of being a Hong Kong box-office draw. The experiences are similar yet different as the stars tell stories about getting hurt and working long hours. Russell displays the sensual side of action movies with his homage to luscious actress Amy Yip. Overall, the impression is one of balance; female martial artists must balance beauty with strength, and ease with diligence. ~ Sarah Ing, Rovi
Detectives Tarek Richards (Jalal Merhi) and Linda Masterson (Cynthia Rothrock) stumble onto a plot to reincarnate three ancient Chinese martial arts masters by the cunningly evil martial artist/magician Stryker (Loren Avedon) to help him gain control over New York City's seedy gangster-ridden underbelly. Stryker is successful in his supernatural efforts, and the trio of super-powered chop socky wizards go on a rampage through Chinatown, terrorizing citizens at every turn. It's up to Richards, who goes into hiding to sharpen his martial arts skills with Master Jin (Carter Wong), and Masterson to overcome the overlords and overturn Stryker's ominous overtures. ~ Buzz McClain, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Loren Avedon, (more)
- 1998
- R
Obsessed with the media, a crazed serial killer likes to videotape the agonizing death of his victims thus providing the only clues a police detective has to go on. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Fred Williamson, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
- 1997
- R
This martial-arts actioner combines crime drama with a touch of fantasy. A serial killer escapes from custody in New York City and disappears into San Francisco's Chinatown with NYPD detectives Richards and Masterson in hot pursuit. Once in Chinatown, the killer Chong hooks up with his brother Dai Lo Fu, a prominent crime lord. Together, the two villains capture the detectives and confine them in the underground chambers beneath the city. The wicked brothers then resume their plans to open a time portal on the Chinese New Year. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jalal Merhi, Bolo Yeung, (more)
- 1996
Iolaus (Michael Hurst) thought that his problems with the beautiful but deadly Enforcer (Karen Sheperd) were over when she was killed and carted off to the Other World. Now, however, he must contend with Enforcer II (Cynthia Rothrock) -- whose essence is fire, and thus is twice as dangerous as her water-essenced predecessor. So powerful is the "new" Enforcer that Iolaus is actually killed, but not before warning his friend Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) of the new threat to humanity. Hades (Erik Thomson), king of the Other World, dispatches the original Enforcer to help Hercules polish off her successor...but how can this bring Iolaus back to life? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kevin Sorbo, Michael Hurst, (more)
An ordinary woman is driven to the point of violent revenge in this tense thriller. Karen McCann (Sally Field) is a suburban wife and working mother with two daughters. Karen's life is turned upside down when her 17-year-old daughter is raped and murdered, a crime she overhears on her cellular phone. Sgt. Denillo (Joe Mantegna), a bright and resourceful police detective, soon tracks down the culprit, an especially sleazy criminal named Robert Doob (Kiefer Sutherland). However, due to a minor technicality, Doob escapes conviction, even though he's clearly guilty. Karen's husband Mack (Ed Harris) suppresses his grief and tries to go on with his life, but Karen doesn't find this quite so easy; she joins a support group for parents of murdered children, and she discovers that within the group is an underground society that seeks vigilante justice against killers who've slipped through the net of the judicial system. Karen buys a gun, learns how to use it, and begins training in martial arts. She starts keeping tabs on Doob, and learns that he not only intends to kill again, he's targeting her younger daughter. Beverly D'Angelo co-stars as Karen's best friend Dolly, and Philip Baker Hall plays Sidney Hughes. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sally Field, Kiefer Sutherland, (more)
Jana Dane (Cynthia Rothrock) is a psychologist and forensic prosecution witness whose testimonies have earned her the respect of her colleagues while putting some of the most dangerous criminals on the street behind bars. When Jane is beaten to within an inch of her life by masked burglars who subsequently murder her sister and nephew, the injuries she sustained leave her with remarkable psychic powers. As Jane's thirst for revenge grows, she learns to hone her newfound telekinetic abilities and use them to serve justice by night while enforcing the law by day. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 1994
- PG13
A bank robber tries to go straight but finds himself framed in this crime drama. Former criminal Nelson Potter is trying to stay clean and open up a bank insurance company with Patrice his girlfriend. His father, a Nelson's former crime partner, wants out. Then Lily robs a bank that Nelson said had so-so security. She kills a guard and leaves the knife covered with Nelson's prints. Nelson is also being harassed by a shady FBI agent. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Corey Haim, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
- 1993
The beautiful Cynthia Rothrock is one of the foremost female martial-arts experts in films, and that's all that is required in Angel of Fury. This time, Rothrock is sent to rescue a "brain." Said brain is housed in a super-computer, jealously guarded by enemy agents. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Chris Barnes, (more)
- 1993
- R
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In this second Rage and Honor release, Cynthia Rothrock again stars as a high-kicking female CIA agent. She's sent to far-away Indonesia to reveal a money-laundering scheme. She just happens to run into her Australian cop-friend from the first Rage and Honor movie, Preston Michaels (Richard Norton), who has fled the crime-infected LAPD and is working as a bartender. Together they're up against a bunch of killer diamond racketeers. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, (more)
- 1993
- R
Statuesque martial arts doyenne Cynthia Rothrock stars in Undefeatable. As in most of her films, Rothrock's principal motivation is revenge. When her sister is murdered by a serial killer, she lays a trap for the villain. Unfortunately, the killer is also well-versed in martial arts. This Undefeatable should not be confused with the 1994 adventure flick of the same name starring Stan Kang. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Don Niam, (more)
- 1993
- R
Cynthia Rothrock again stars in the title role, playing a woman who uses her martial arts mastery for vengeance on the thugs who terrorized her home. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
In Rage and Honor, Cynthia Rothrock is featured as a full-time high-school teacher/part-time karate instructor who's out to protect one of her students who innocently witnesses and films a mob drug transaction. He's caught and beaten but keeps the film from the bad guys. Finding and helping him is an Australian foreign-exchange cop who also gets involved in the fracas when he's set up for a murder by some cop cohorts who've gone bad. ~ Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, (more)
- 1992
An angry widow dons her ninja gear and takes off for revenge against the gangster who killed her husband in this lively martial arts actioner that revels in its deliberately, deliciously awful tongue-in-cheek dialog that takes a sharp poke at the genre. While the black widow kicks and chops her way to vengeance against the evil villain "White Powder's" gang, police officers Lee Ann Jackson and Lester McQueen stalk her while simultaneously trying to clean up the other trash that litters the streets of their city. In the explosive final conclusion, White Powder meets Mr. Big in the ubiquitous empty warehouse to finalize a major drug deal. Unbeknownst to either of them, the ninja-girl got there first and planted a little surprise for them. In the end, the two crooks get their just desserts, the cops get demoted, and the widow flees to Mexico. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1992
Lau Kar-wing directs this affable low-budget action-comedy. The film centers on Kent Tong (Kenneth Tong Chun-yo), a convict on the lam and in possession of some fantastically valuable microfilm wanted by not only FBI agent Cindy (Cynthia Rothrock), but also thugs posing as FBI agents named Ken (Ken Godman) and Macquarton (Mark Houghton), and a pair of incompetent Hong Kong cops, Ching Shing (Miu Kiu-wai) and Tai Kau (Shing Fui-on). In the midst of all this, Ching falls in love with the fugitive's beautiful sister, May (Suki Kwan Sau-mei), while Cindy falls for Tai Kau. Later, martial master Michiko (Michiko Nishiwaki), which sets the stage for a kung-fu smack down between her and Cindy. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- 1992
- R
Action heroine Cynthia Rothrock stars as FBI agent Tracey Pride, who teams with her sister Joyce (Donna Joyce), an Interpol operative posing as a TV newswoman, to take down an evil executive (John Miller) with plans to buy a nuclear detonator. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
- Starring:
- Cynthia Rothrock
- 1992
- R
Martial arts expert Cynthia Rothrock stars as a widow who learns karate in order to gain revenge on the crime boss (Richard Norton) who killed her husband. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
- 1991
- PG
This fast-paced caper/chase comedy, shot on location in Utah and Colorado, chronicles the daring exploits of a bank robber and his teenage-criminal-mastermind son. Exciting stunts and special effects help make up for the rather lame story. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Corey Haim, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
- 1991
- R
The "female Bruce Lee" martial artist, Cynthia Rothrock, stars as a cop who is tired of doing detective work on theft and who tries her hand at solving a murder case so she will be assigned to the homicide division instead. To accomplish her goal, she must investigate the brutal killings of martial art masters in NYC. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jalal Merhi, Cynthia Rothrock, (more)
- 1991
- R
This martial-arts sequel follows the further adventures of LA cops Billie and Sean, two members of the department's urban-warfare martial arts unit, "Martial Law." The two team up again to look into the suspicious death of a fellow officer and discover a complex network of corruption and murder all centered around a posh nightclub. Female martial-arts champion Cynthia Rothrock plays Billie. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1990
Piecing together exciting film footage of martial arts performances, Deadliest Art demonstrates the reasons for the popularity of martial arts combat in visual entertainment. The history of the art, including basics of the Eastern philosophies that govern it, provides insight along with the demonstration of various types of martial arts fighting. Touching on the skills and frame of mind necessary to perform feats of this kind, this film showcases the beauty of defense without weapons, as well as special techniques required to incorporate the use of weapons, and the ways in which the martial arts have been showcased in the film industry. ~ Sarah Sloboda, Rovi
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