That Stupid Club

Redbelt (2008)

2009-01-06T17:21:00Z

4.5 stars outta 5

“A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard.”

– Bruce Lee

In my previous review of “Ip Man” I mentioned that I felt strangely disatisfied with the movie’s lack of wushu spirit in its theme and for the weirdest reason, I just couldn’t let the flaw of the movie go while half wanting to recommend it.

I needed a closure; and what better way do this than watching yet another martial arts movie.

Yet,to call Redbelt “another martial arts movie”, is like saying The Dark Knight was merely another comic book movie. A bold claim, yes. But not entirely unjustified.

The latest movie from David Mamet shows us the fight that most of its peers does not offer enough of: The struggle within.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (quite a mouthful, eh?) plays Mike Terry, a jiujitsu instructor who explains that he doesn’t teach people to fight, but to prevail. An interesting comment, since his dojo is not making money, has a shattered glass from an incident that may lead to his one of …two(?) students going to jail, he’s unable to pay his rent and to top this off, his wife ends up borrowing money from a loan shark for a bust business deal that she could never pay off.

It sure is a good thing that Mike’s brother in law happens to be running an ‘Ultimate Fighting Champion-ish’ tournament. And with a $40,000 top prize carrot dangling in front of a desperate man, could this finally be the straw to break the camel’s back ? Does every man, even a honourable one like Mike, truly have a price?

I have but merely scratched Redbelt’s surface in its intricate plotlines, a wonderful character piece case study on the theme of honour, a subject matter sorely missing in many martial arts movies; and to see it on an American movie actually makes it even more remarkable to me.

Now, the movie does have its flaws. The overly macho dialogue sounds like they belong to another world (Who talks like that in real life!?!) the fact that everything piece of the puzzle falls oh so neatly into place in the film. But I am more than willing to ignore this shortcomings because I have simply enjoyed the ride that Mamet is bringing me.

Of course, it would be ridiculous of me to expect all martial arts movies to suddenly stop fighting and to start preaching, what would be the fun in that?

But, dear reader, hear me out. In today’s world where money seem to be the most important thing, it heartens me to think that old fashioned values like honour and respect still means something to somebody, even he is a work of fiction.

THAT should be the spirit of wushu, of martial arts, and for better or worse, for our lives.

Technorati Tags: david mamet,redbelt,wushu,honour

Ip Man

2008-12-28T17:22:00Z

Technorati Tags: ip man,donnie yen,kung fu

3 out of 5 stars

I left the cinema with a strange feeling of dissatisfaction after watching Ip Man, Donnie Yen’s latest kung fu flick.

The film talks about the life (and brief) times of the title character, a practitioner of Wing Chun Martial Arts whom was considered the most highly skilled martial artist whose disciples would include the legendary Bruce Lee.

The movie, if you excuse the cheesy pun, literally packs a punch. Donnie Yen portrays Ip Man as a modest family man who is always ready to offer a helping hand but would never asks for any in return. The opening fight scene between Ip and a fellow master is a masterpiece showcase in this genre. The viewer has no doubt that the challenger is out to probably humiliate Ip, but instead, he was offered hospitality by Ip. And strangely, this increases my curiosity of how good Ip really is. And the fight does not disappoint. While most fighting movies aims for the absurdity these days, the opening fight scene demonstrates how control and discipline can be even more impressive. Ip whom easily outmatched his opponent could have easily beaten him to a pulp not only held back most of his punches; he modestly thanks the opponent for doing the same afterwards.

It was at this time, when my friend turned and told me “I love this movie!” I eagerly concur, but once again I spoke too soon.

The second to third act of this movie unfortunately derailed from the intial set up. The Japanese invasion came along and all in Fo Shan goes to hell. And all these eventually led to a series of ‘misunderstandings’ which results in some meaningless over the top fight scenes which turned Ip turn from the humble kungfu master into a one man Mortal Kombat-ish fighting machine. All these of course are an overly elaborate lead to the final showdown between Ip and the Japanese General Miura, whom surprise surprise, happens to be a highly skilled kung fu Master in his own right.

Oddly enough, I was more than ready to ‘forgive’ all that went wrong with the movie if this last fight was played out … respectfully. And I humbly offer my thoughts on what totally went wrong with the third act.

The scene that personally I feel could have saved the movie was when General Miura came in to offer Ip a meal on the night before the big fight; a mirror of the opening scene of the show don’t you think? I would rather have Miura and Ip use the scene to state their respect for each other’s skills in Martial arts and I would imagine that the two are opposite sides of the same coin entwined in the middle of WW2. But alas, Ip sprouted some speech on Jap bashing, and later on, bashed up the Japanese General. *YAWN!*

You probably think I’ve put too much thought into a simple kungfu movie, but what I’m trying to say is what should have been a great film on the spirit of wushu, ends up as another generic chop-socky flick, and to that, I lament.

Saigon Kick – Water

2008-12-18T10:48:00Z

Take me up to higher lands
Higher lands, I go

Saigon Kick is probably best known for Love Is On The Way off The Lizard, but the follow-up Water is arguably the superior album. The title track is a highlight, the gospel choir bit never gets old. I am a sucker for gospel choirs in rock songs though.

100 Greatest? Really?

2008-11-21T08:57:42Z

On the whole, I think its a decent list, but come one, there are only 57 singers better than Christina Aguilera, ever?

I also take extreme issue with Mike Patton not being in the list, and Frank Sinatra, and Edith Piaf, and Jon Bon Jovi… oh sorry, that was the 12 year old in me talking.

Such is a nature of a democratic list.

R.I.P. Mr Mitch Mitchell

2008-11-13T09:27:23Z

There goes one of my favourite rock drummers.

Sakamoto Ryuichi – Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence

2008-10-30T17:47:00Z

I remember watching Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence when I was a wee lad, back when I didn’t even know who David Bowie was. I remember hardly anything about the movie itself, but I’ve never forgotten the beautiful theme song.

This is a live performance, off Mr Sakamoto’s Ryuichi Sakamoto Trio: World Tour 1996 - Complete Version DVD.

Democracy in China

2008-10-11T19:04:16Z

Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy to be released 23rd Nov 2008!

Loser-X: stock up on canned food and potable water then run for the hills, clearly it is the apocalypse

Duh Magnet: WHERE IS YOUR GOD NOW 3DREALMS?

Neil Young & Pearl Jam – Throw Your Hatred Down

2008-09-06T21:26:44Z

Mirrorball is probably one of my favourite albums from the mid 90s and was my gateway drug to the wonder that is Neil Young. I have gone on to embrace almost all the musical aspects of the eclectic Neil Young but it is the distortion merchant proto-grunge rocker Neil that speaks to me loudest.

This is the performance from the 2006 Bridge School Benefit.

Yamane Mai – After, In the Dark ~ Torch Song

2008-08-27T09:45:54Z

An unforgettable song composed by Kanno Yoko featuring vocals by Yamane Mai, it served as the ending theme to episodes 1 through 3 of the OVA version of Macross Plus. Sadly, nothing on Frontier comes close.

John Renbourn - Rosslyn

2008-08-26T11:43:28Z

As the video description says, “John Renbourn at the peak of his prodigious powers”.

My first experience of Renbourn was his rendition of “The Moon Shines Bright”, unfortunately there is not YouTube video with his recording but there is an excellent cover by troubleclef. Check out his other videos too, some really great stuff there.

Kula Shaker – Drink Tea (for the Love of God!)

2008-08-26T11:12:51Z

Just bought the “new” Kula Shaker album Strangefolk. It was released June 2007 and I’ve not heard a peep about it anywhere. I’m not sure about it yet, especially the two reworked tracks from the Revenge of the King EP which I loved, but their Christmas 2007 single (which I have also just found out about) is face-meltingly awesome. The absolutely mental video makes it doubly so.

Lyrics:

As we reach the end of our civilisation, it is perhaps a sign of the times that tea-drinking in our fair land is sadly on the decline. The byways are void of any tea, and all you can get is that disgusting drink, coffee. The situation is very grave. Something must be done.

Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on
Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on

Tea is a marvelous drink; everyone loves a nice cup of tea. It breaks through the barriers of class and status, from the worker in the factory canteen to Her Majesty the Queen. Everyone loves a nice cup of tea.

Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on
Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on
Put them on

Sixty-two billion cups of tea were drunk in Britain alone last year. That's not bad, but we can do better than that! Tea offers a moment of transcendence away from the mad and frantic world. Tea is a gift from our creator.

Tea comes from God in Heaven
No stinking factory
Drink tea in the morning
Drink tea all day long

Come on everybody, sing it to the world!

Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on
Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on

Drink tea for the love of God
Drink tea, put the kettle on
Put them on

Lyrics courtesy of drykid from the Kula Shaker Forum, some minor corrections by yours truly.

Souad Massi – Yemma

2008-08-26T08:51:04Z

I was in my favourite record store yesterday, and on the stereo I heard this beautiful voice. So it turns out that voice belonged to Souad Massi, and the song I heard was “Yemma”, off the album Deb.

This is a live performance from the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards 2006 which is perhaps more powerful than the studio version.

Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau – The Sound of Water

2008-08-19T18:51:43Z

Featuring Pat and his 42 string Pikasso again, The Sound of Water was maybe one of the highlights off the “Metheny Mehldau Quartet” album.

SMS Squadron Song ~ That Girl is an Alien Lyrics

2008-08-04T09:46:13Z

For my own edification:

Here we go! Here we go! SMS
We fly and fly till we drop
Cause we SMS can't say "NO!"

When there's a call to a far off star
That weird chick's an alien, alien!

Go wack her with your big rockets
Here we go, here we go, SMS

Go spread our seed in the galaxy
We hot boys throttle through
the Magellan Clouds in a stroke

Cause we, the indestructible SMS
Speed! Miracle! Spacy!
Once we start, we can't stop, hey!

Best. Lyrics. Ever.

Listen to it:

Don’t remember where I found the lyrics, sorry.

Random Macross Frontier Thoughts, Part 2

2008-08-03T19:08:20Z

Here there be spoilers.

The series is about 2/3 done. There were a few weak episodes unfortunately, which is a bit of a letdown given the very high standards it set in the first 7 episodes.

So the VF-25 is named the Messiah, nice. Wonder what the VF-27’s (Brera’s VF) is.

The Macross Quarter is maybe too agile. Doesn’t feel like a cap ship. Of course I can appreciate improving technology and its smaller size making for a much more agile ship compared to the SDF-1, but it seems nothing it does can be quite as dramatic as the Daedalus attack. I wonder if the Macross Frontier will ever swing into action.

Nene (the pink haired Meltlandi) cowered behind KK when the two girly men fought? How far the mighty has fallen. I’m thinking maybe the Zentradi and the Meltlandi have started breeding naturally, so the younger ones are not engineered for aggression.

The “fold engine unaffected fold dislocations” plot device in episode 12 is pretty weak. “Here, I just so happen to have this top sekrit tech that will solve your previously unsolvable problem.” And why? Why did they decide to mount blingy speakers on Mike’s VF? I know its a homage to Macross 7, but its something I’m trying to pretend never happened. I was hoping Mike would go on and kick some ass.

The appearance of the Global made the fanboy in me weep in happiness, though it was more of a cameo.

Nobody remembers Raramia. She’s not had a single line before she got killed off and that’s bloody sloppy storytelling. Completely pointless. I bet the production team were thinking “we need to kill off a named character here, FOR GRITTINESS. But oh, it couldn’t be one the fans care about.” Pfft.

Was that Ranka’s mum? She looks like Sheryl with seaweed green dye. I’m thinking Sheryl’s an artificial construct. A clone, maybe, or a bio-engineered human based on Ranka’s mum. A small tidbit, her name as shown in the credits is Ranshe Mei.

Alto getting shouty is annoying. Its pretty theatrical though, so I’ll just put it down to his love for performance.

Is it just me, or is the techno Aimo terrible? I mean, the original isn’t all that, sounds like a Voices II or something, but at least I don’t hate it.

Episode 17 is just a big bait and switch for old fans. Pineapple cake? Bleeding in chair? Check out a comprehensive list of the Death Flags here. But man, Ozma’s GAR. So GAR Kathy can do naught but swoon in the presence of his GARness. I liked the Fire Bomber songs in this episode and how they were used, for what its worth.

Poor Sheryl. Sheryl gets no love.