The History of Martial Arts/Martial Art films: A Way of Life

BruceLee.Com VLOG Series - "I Am Bruce Lee" Feature Documentary

2012-01-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a cool VLog from Shannon Lee talking about the upcoming documentary, "I am Bruce Lee". It looks like it's going to be an excellent feature film dealing with a perspective not quite shown in the media just yet. I love the fact that she is not exploiting her father, but preserving the raw core elements of Bruce Lee. I really want to see this film. I feel Bruce Lee has a certain aura that all of us embody one way or another. He's a big influence on not only the Martial Arts, but just life as a whole. As of right now, the movie will be played in select theaters from February 9th-15th. It also be airing on Spike TV in the month of March. For more information on dates, theaters, and times, check out IAMBruceLee.com. Also, make sure to check the iambrucelee twitter page as well as the Bruce Lee page run by Shannon Lee. Check out the VLog as well as trailer right under it:

Bruce Lee Dance, Art & Self-Expression

2011-11-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

This is what I'm talking about right here! What I really loved about Bruce Lee is the fact that he was a dancer before he truly became an incredible martial artist. When you see his movements on camera particularly before and after his moves, you can tell he was a gifted dancer. He has a lot of grace, fluidity, and really knew his fundamentals. Yes, he created his own style that's really a mix of many yet not catering to one. However, you can see he had a tight grip on his forms, and did them full out and correctly. Just like how I'm b-boying..the foundation is there, and you FLIP it for your use!! Remember, Bruce said it best, "Absorb what is useful; discard what is not". PERFECT QUOTE RIGHT THERE! Shannon Lee, who recently followed me on Twitter by the way (^_-), posted this a few weeks back. I feel this is a very great and rare clip to really see who he was besides the Martial Arts. It's a great clip with some good dancers in it that can correlate how the moves and movement flow together!

Tekken (2009) live action film DVD RIP!

2010-08-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

The long awaited Tekken movie is finally available to watch! Click the link below:

http://www.wisevid.com/play?v=2tbuJz58dzv4

Bruce Lee - The Art of Expressing The Human Body

2010-07-01T16:54:00.000-07:00

Shannon Lee shows a brief excerpt from Bruce Lee's workout regiment which includes isometrics, cardio, diet, and also putting martial arts (focuses on certain punches and kicks) within his daytimers. Bruce Lee was not exactly the biggest guy (5'7" roughly 150 lbs on average), but what he lacked in "bulk" stature..he made up for in physicality, speed, and ingenuity. Imho, he had the "perfect" body. He utilized/maximized each of his muscles past the typical peak of the human body. This is actually pretty cool, and I will definitely cop his book Bruce Lee - The Art of Expressing the Human Body, in the near future. Check out the video:

You can cop the book right now:

Saat Po Long - Sammo Hung vs Donnie Yen

2010-06-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

Here's the final bout of the movie between Sammo Hung vs Donnie Yen. REALLY intense. So intense that I need not say another word of the fight other than to GO WATCH IT!!

Jeri Ryan (Sonya Blade) states that Mortal Kombat Rebirth trailer is a pitch?

2010-06-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

After watching the Mortal Kombat Rebirth trailer, I definitely thought this could be a preview for things to come. In fact, it was just a pitch to Warner Bros for a possible reboot of the series. Even though I disliked a few things about the trailer, I definitely loved the CONCEPT of a rawer/realer feel of the series. Imho as far as fighting games go, the first Mortal Kombat movie definitely set a precedent for how those types of films should be shot and done. I'm hoping after 13 yrs we can finally see another decent fighting game adapted into a live action film. Check out the link from Kotaku:

http://kotaku.com/5558339/if-this-is-the-next-mortal-kombat-movie-sign-us-up

New Trailer - Mortal Kombat: Rebirth (2010)

2010-06-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

Wow, this is crazy. A friend of mine just showed me this trailer...I think it's good that they are rebooting the film, but I kinda dislike the costume changes...Reptile should be exactly what he is: a reptilian being. Baraka should be a mutant (not a guy with dreads with a weird looking face) - However, I do like Lateef Crowder and I think he's a dope martial artist. I just wish they kept to the motif. Hmm....other than, the trailer actually really solid...Michael Jai White is Jax so that should be interesting. I still believe that the first Mortal Kombat movie was really well done. Way better compared to Mortal Kombat Annihilation. We will definitely see wuz good with this movie. I'm guessing it's in the shopping for distribution stage, but this is a fairly long trailer. Over 7 mins - crazy. Here is the new trailer of Mortal Kombat: Rebirth :

Enter the Fat Dragon opening title (RARE)

2010-05-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

Hahah, this is actually pretty funny. There were a lot of Bruce Lee knockoffs/parodies that happened after his death to capitalize on the craze. I remember this old tape my father got me, and it was "supposed" to be Bruce Lee. It said Bruce Li, Bruce Lei, Bruce Le, etc. So cheap and so whack. I remember even Jackie Chan saying in an interview that directors wanted him to be the next Bruce Lee. Of course, there can only be one. Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have two totally different styles which work. Anyway, one of my favorite actors has to be Sammo Hung. Here's the opening to "Enter the Fat Dragon". Pretty hilarious...

Leung Ting Wing Tsun BBC interview

2010-05-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting interview on the principles of Leung Ting Wing Tsun.

Jackie Chan "Little Big Soldier" DVD rip

2010-03-31T04:42:00.000-07:00

Check it out =)

Enjoy

Little Big Soldier

Pacquiao vs Clottey: A Match of Disappointment?

2010-03-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well, for anyone that saw the fight - it was a clear, decisive victory for Pacquiao. I can appreciate Clottey for trying to put up a defense and not getting knocked out, but for a powerhouse like Pacquiao - much more is needed. Pacquiao's punching power, technique, and stamina won him the match. Plain and Simple. I always think it's interesting to see how fighters train: physically, mentally, and emotionally for their bouts. I was looking at HBO's youtube site and found a few interesting videos on some training/interview vids of Pacquiao and Clottey. Pretty dope. Check it out.

The Spy Next Door DVD RIP

2010-03-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

Spy Next Door download

Jackie Chan: My Stunts

2010-03-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

I particularly like this film not only because Jackie Chan is in it, but he does a great job telling his perspective on the behind scenes action - editing, stuntwork, camera work.

He goes really in depth with over 35-40 yrs of industry work..he can do it all. This made me have a great respect for him not only because he's in his 50's and still does his own stunt work - he is also very involved behind the scenes.

I never really considered the depth of how detailed and important each job of a filmmaker maybe. Jackie goes into depth of how timing is really key with choreography and how a simple shout or grunt can be the difference in correctly timing your kick or punch or the latter: accidentally kicking your co-worker in the face or worse.

I respect Chan for doing films the old way of actually using the little trick wire, the pennies on the glass, using knock off shoes instead of real shoes or fake props. The camera movements are so fast and the editing is on point to where you cannot readily tell that its fake or real. The whole film is posted on youtube, or you can buy it on Amazon or other places. Here is an excerpt from the film:

Chinese version: Pt 1

Sorry, but they would not allow an embed for the English version otherwise I'd post that instead of the url:

Pt. 1 (English)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOEUgbiBXMc

Rare pictures of Enter The Dragon

2010-03-10T18:38:00.000-08:00

Enter the Dragon was one the biggest movies to come out that kicked off the whole Martial Arts craze in the United States. Bruce Lee was definitely at the helm of this. At a time where a lot of social, political, and economical changes occurred, this was definitely needed. The United States was still pretty separated even the 70's. Many of Bruce Lee's enemies were non supporters of his movement. They were not only in dispute to his self made artform "Jeet Kune Do" but also his ideology of sharing it with anyone willing. The Si-Fu's wanted to keep it with the Chinese lineage. Bruce Lee was completely against that. His idea was sharing, creating unity. I respect him humbly for that. He caught a lot of flack for that. What Bruce Lee did was revolutionize martial arts on film. No fairy flying, no wires, none of that. Raw Martial Arts at it's finest. The beauty and simplicity of just the plain movement made it greater due to the fact that it was all truth. Make sure you also support: the Bruce Lee blog by Shannon Lee (Bruce Lee's daughter). Definitely a lot of bombs and great things happening with that. You can also follow her on twitter: @bruceleedotcom
Here's some footage and rare screenshots of Enter the Dragon that Shannon Lee put together.

Brief interpretation: Ninja Assassin + DVD rip

2010-03-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

Aight...here goes my first movie review. I saw Ninja Assassin way back in 2009 - right before Thanksgiving.

Action - high paced, really flashy, violent - it's to be expected.

Storyline - a lil lackluster, a lil too cliche. It was to be a lil expected.

My first thought of when I saw the preview :

Dead or Alive (TECMO)

I kind of got a vibe from just the way the title and the motions of the movie looked. Play some Dead or Alive and you'll see what i'm talking about. Overall, I thought it was a fun movie to watch. Definitely not the best, but it was fun.

Word of Advice: definitely see it with people. LOL.

If you are looking for a fun, high paced martial arts flick - definitely for you. Just don't take it too seriously. I don't think it was intended to be like that, anyway.

Here's the link to the DVD rip enjoy:

Ninja Assassin (2009)

Karate Kid trailer

2010-03-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

I'm a bit late posting this up, but I think this should be an interesting movie. Jaden looks like he's definitely gotten into his craft a bit more since "The Pursuit of Happyness". I was a bit skeptical and I still think they should change the title since it's clearly Kung Fu and not Karate. lol. However, I'll definitely give this movie a chance. Besides, can't beat Jackie Chan. He's the man. LOL. At any rate, check out the trailer.

It's Music Monday, so I figure I post up a few Jackie Chan songs

2010-03-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

Um, here's one of my fav Jackie Chan songs that is from the "Who am I?" soundtrack. I remember when I was younger - I used to sing this song ALL the time. hahaha. It was really fun, though. I can't fake. You'll see why it's very addictive. haha.

Just a start

2010-03-08T06:06:00.001-08:00

Well, here's just a test post for right now. I have another blog that i post a lot of random content to, but this one is mainly going to be about martial arts - my other interest.