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beenacontender
---The Facts---
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Occupation: Freelance Writer
Location: New York City.
Hobbies: Screenwriting, music, movies, sports.
---The Opinions---
10 Favorite Films
1. 8 Diagram Pole Fighter (Invincible Pole Fighters)
2. The Godfather
3. Seven Samurai
4. On The Waterfront
5. High Noon
6. Twelve Angry Men
7. Scarface (1983)
8. Dr. Strangelove
9. Monty Python's Holy Grail
10. The Warriors
10 Favorite Actors
1. Gordon Liu
2. Al Pacino
3. Toshiro Mifune
4. Marlon Brando
5. Bruce Lee
6. Clint Eastwood
7. Robert Deniro
8. Gary Cooper
9. Robert Redford
10. Mel Gibson
10 Favorite Books
1. Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield
2. Chung Kuo by David Wingrove
3. Spares by Michael Marshall Smith
4. Weaveworld by Clive Barker
5. Carrion Comfort by Dan Simmons
6. The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
7. Watership Down by Richard Adams
8. Legend by David Gemmell
9. Dune by Frank Herbert
10. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
10 Favorite Bands
1. Teenage Fanclub
2. Adam and the Ants
3. New Order
4. The Boo Radleys
5. Saint Etienne
6. Fountains of Wayne
7. Stone Roses
8. Book of Love
9. Pulp
10. Duran Duran
Reviews
Cha no aji (2004)
Tastes Great
Family movies. I’m not talking about the Disney or Pixar variety but the family ensemble film, depicting the various lives of an often eccentric clan from the inside out. While Ingmar Bergman’s “Fanny and Alexander” and Yasujiro Ozu’s “Tokyo Stories” are hailed as the standards, Katsuhito Ishii provides his take on the genre with a most accessible and surprising piece of cinema: “The Taste of Tea.”
Probably best known in the U.S. as the guest director of the anime segment in Kill Bill vol.1, Ishii has written and directed films (“Party 7” and “Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl”) that feature outrageous gangsters influenced by Tarantino, Japanese Manga and Anime, and the Hong Kong gun-fu flicks
You can imagine the level of expectations Ishii encountered when he introduced “The Taste of Tea” to the unsuspecting public – all low - whether you were familiar with his work or underwhlemed by the title. Ishii reveals in his third movie outing that he has grown as a filmmaker and much like the clichéd franchise films of the ‘80s – this time it’s personal.
We are introduced to the Haruno family, living pastoral lives in their cozy, open-air home in the country. But underneath the placid surface each member of the family faces their own demons.
Teenage son Hajime (a hilarious Takahiro Sato) takes the Jason Biggs role of the obsessive, horny Romeo who longs for love as seen with his frequent pillow and blanket dry-humping.
Mother (Satomi Tezuka) runs the household while working on her dream Anime epic.
Father (Tomokazu Miura) fights the malaise of work by using his hypnotherapy skills on his family.
Grandad (Tatsuya Gashuin) provides the non-stop laughs at the expense of his unibrow, his childlike quirkiness, his tendency to sing about whatever he sees, and unfortunately his senility.
The restless uncle (The Japanese Johnny Depp - Tadanobu Asano) is a talented record producer who somehow is sidetracked by a lack of closure in his life.
Finally, little Sachiko (an adorable Maya Banno)cannot concentrate at school or home because of a bizarre recurring haunting: a gigantic 60-foot image of herself.
Immediately we’re brought into Ishii’s surreal world with David Lynch (“Twin Peaks”) / Pierre Jeunet (“Amelie”) visuals that add to the inner conflicts of each family member.
And love is what you’ll feel for the characters that you’ll come to know. Ishii never has to rely on melodrama to get us to sympathize with their individual plights. It’s all in the details.
You hope against reason that they can all achieve their dreams. Not because they’re so wacky, so eccentric, or even lovable, but as strange as these characters are Ishii reveals a humbling moment which brings the character back to earth and into our hearts.
See the movie with someone you really care for.
Wow and Flutter (2004)
"To Amber: Music for a Lifetime"
David (Ethan Moskowitz) is a reserved, handsome 14 year old who adores high school senior Amber (Olivia Avila).
Shot in color on 35 mm, the 17 minute film wonderfully captures the awkward teenage experience of first love. David offers Amber his ultimate gift - his love of music in the form of a mix tape, allowing the rest of his life to take a secondary role.
This short works not only because of the atmospheric indie/emo music and smart editing, but because of all the times it could have stepped into melodrama it withdraws. Ethan Moskowitz's portrayal as the fragile David reaches its highest vulnerability from his shared glances, most notably with his impotent mother and sister.
"Wow and Flutter" was a winner at The Hampton's International Film Festival, 2004 and the Palm Springs Int'l Festival of Short Films, 2004. You don't have to be one of the millions who have actually made mix-tapes for an unrequited love to enjoy it. And you gotta love that title; one of the hall-of fame names for a mix-tape.
Wu Lang ba gua gun (1984)
8 Reasons to Watch "The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter" - Greatest of All Kung Fu Movies
8 Reasons to Watch "8 Diagram Pole Fighter"
Whether it would be your first time or 36th viewing, here are 8 reasons why you should watch, in my opinion, the greatest kung-fu movie of all time.
1) Liu-Chi-Liang/Lau Kar Leung --I grew up watching kung-fu films in decrepit New York City theaters as well as on Saturday 3PM on NY channel 5 - "Drive-In" feature. My favorite director of these action flicks was and still is Liu-Chi-Liang/Lau Kar Leung.
This legendary director is himself a marital artist (able to trace his mastery from demi-hero, Wong Fei Hung) and imparts adherence to the art of kung-fu in every movie he directs and/or choreographs. His greatest screen triumph comes in the form of "The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter" ("Invincible Pole Fighter").
2) A compelling storyline -- Mongols with the help of an insider, ambush the influential Yang Family, defenders of the dynasty. The Mongols must hunt down all Yang survivors so their insidious plot to overthrow the dynasty will not be uncovered.
3) An all-star cast -- Those who watch films of the Shaw Brothers will recognize the familiar faces of the charismatic dynamo Gordon Liu Chia Hui, kung fu babe Kara Hui Ying-Hung, legendary Lily Li, superstar Alexander Fu Sheng in his last screen role, all-time bad guy Johnny Wang Lung Wei, veteran Phillip Ko Fei, talented Hsiao Ho, technical Lau Kar Wing, heroic Wong Yu and Lau Kar Leung himself.
3) Unobtrusive use of "wire-fu" or special effects -- At least there are no quadruple flips and people flipping off swords (i.e. "Swordsman 2").
4) The greatest pole fighting sequence filmed -- Gordon Liu wants revenge. Phillip Ko Fei denies this bloodlust. Watch them engage in a fantastic duel of ethics and poles.
5) The climactic end sequence -- Words cannot describe the mayhem involved. Only the finale of films such as "Drunken Master 2" and "Thundering Mantis" can compare. Must be seen to be believed.
6) No gratuitous humor --While not everyone can have the sense of humor of a Jacky Chan or Sammo Hung, many martial arts films have comical segments/elements that take away from the overall picture.
Take Lau Kar Leung's masterful `Legendary Weapons of Kung-Fu.' The entire Alexander Fu Sheng subplot of the crackpot martial artist could've been done without the cross eyes and silly music.
Chang Cheh's `10 Tiger's of Kwangtung' had many memorable moments but a couple of comedic attempts such as the overly long 'torture training,' and the bystander who lounges about and watches a duel at close range, distracts.
In `8 Diagram Pole Fighter' there is no mixing of genres. What you get is a smash-mouth kung-fu action movie.
7) Themes -- This movie is not just about kung-fu and revenge. It deals with family honor. Loyalty to one's country. Loyalty to a group. Belief in one's self. And ultimately - belonging.
8) Gordon Liu -- As the main star of this movie, Gordon cements his place in kung-fu film history as one of the baddest-asses ever. Here's an elite warrior that goes to Shaolin Temple to IMPROVE his killing skills. In particular his first encounter against a Mongol outpost is the stuff of action film legend.
I feel so strongly about this movie that it not only is my favorite martial arts film, it currently ranks as my favorite movie. It stands above my other favorites (which include: The Godfather, Golgo 13, The Seven Samurai, On the Waterfront, 12 Angry Men, High Noon, Monty Python's Holy Grail), because it stands the test of repeated viewings and never fails to fill me with the full gamut of all emotions, leaving me more passionate about my life, my family and my destiny.
Maybe it's the coffee talking. Maybe I need to get out more. Nevertheless, I offer a toast to all other `8 Diagram Pole Fighter' fans around the world, new and old.