...Just a little fun with hats.
I'm sure as time passes, his collection of hats will grow as fast as he does.
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Sprout Likes Hats...
...Just a little fun with hats.
I'm sure as time passes, his collection of hats will grow as fast as he does.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Kung Fu Review #2
Tonight's Kung Fu Review is of Dance of the Drunk Mantis aka Drunken Master pt. 2.
Now let me begin by saying that I am biased from the get-go. I don't like the idea of casting an actor to star in a martial arts film, only to use a stunt double for damn near ALL of the martial arts he's supposed to perform. Such is the case with Simon Yuen who is playing Sam the Seed, a character seen in about 5-6 martial arts films. Sam Seed is used for comic relief, and he is Known for crazy over the top slapstick humor. The IDEA of an old drunk Kung-Fu master is cool, but Simon Yuen is simply too old for the role and the fact that he has a double is WAAAAAYYY too obvious.
That having been said, let's get to the review.
The film opens with Rubberlegs(!?!), a Pai Mei like northern drunken boxing master (played by the excellent Hwang Jang Lee) and his student (Corey Yuen) seeking Sam Seed. Rubberlegs' intent is to determine whose skill is best-Seed's southern drunk style or his own. They soon meet and dispatch a Seed imposter who is milking the benefits of a kung-fu expert. This only fuels Rubberlegs' fire making him more intent to find and destroy Seed.
We then see the real Seed returning home years later after having taught Jackie Chan drunken boxing in the first Drunken Master film. When he returns, he finds that his wife has adopted a son named Foggy, played by the superb Yuen Shun Yee (Simon Yuen's real son). After being met with a series of protests, Foggy finally seems to convince his "dad" to teach him the drunk fist style. Foggy is made to carry out all sorts of gruelling tasks in his training, only to find out that Seed had no intention of training him. Humiliated, Foggy leaves to resume working, and meets with Rubberlegs' student. The student then realizes that foggy could lead his master to Seed. Foggy ends up doing just that, and the inevitable fight between the two styles begins. Seed ends up getting a serious beatdown, because Legs has combined mantis fist style with drunken style. Seed escapes, and sends Foggy to his brother who is a master of the Sickness style of boxing.
Yeah.
Sickness.
The Master has a pale and sullen look about him, he can't seem to kick his dry hacks, his voice is low and raspy, and he hangs out in a casket!
What???
What should be LAME by description is anything but.
The sickness style looks pretty sweet-especially during the training scenes.
When Seed recovers from his ass whippin', he goes to visit his brother to see how Foggy is, but he's out and about.
While Foggy is out, he meets with Legs' student again, and has a rematch, keeping him occupied while Rubberlegs makes his way to Sick Master's place to finish the job on Seed.
Foggy, armed with the sick style combined with the drunk style easily handles the student, and swiftly makes his way back to Sick Masters place just in time to save Seed.
I liked everything about this film- crazy fighting styles, revenge plot, weird characters, and punishing training sessions, but I have to give this film a paltry 2 Kung-Fu kicks out of 5.
The stunt double had more screen time than the guy he was playing, and even though Simon Yuen's other son played the part, it was just too obvious. That constantly annoyed and ruined the film for me. What was cool though, was the action. Each fight was HEAVILY choreographed, and each move was an almost perfect representation of the strange and incredibly interesting art of drunken fist boxing. Rightly so, considering Yuen Woo Ping directed the film. He would go on to direct the martial arts action in the Kill Bill films, the Matrix films, and Crouching Tiger hidden dragon.
Till next time,
PEACE.
Now let me begin by saying that I am biased from the get-go. I don't like the idea of casting an actor to star in a martial arts film, only to use a stunt double for damn near ALL of the martial arts he's supposed to perform. Such is the case with Simon Yuen who is playing Sam the Seed, a character seen in about 5-6 martial arts films. Sam Seed is used for comic relief, and he is Known for crazy over the top slapstick humor. The IDEA of an old drunk Kung-Fu master is cool, but Simon Yuen is simply too old for the role and the fact that he has a double is WAAAAAYYY too obvious.
That having been said, let's get to the review.
The film opens with Rubberlegs(!?!), a Pai Mei like northern drunken boxing master (played by the excellent Hwang Jang Lee) and his student (Corey Yuen) seeking Sam Seed. Rubberlegs' intent is to determine whose skill is best-Seed's southern drunk style or his own. They soon meet and dispatch a Seed imposter who is milking the benefits of a kung-fu expert. This only fuels Rubberlegs' fire making him more intent to find and destroy Seed.
We then see the real Seed returning home years later after having taught Jackie Chan drunken boxing in the first Drunken Master film. When he returns, he finds that his wife has adopted a son named Foggy, played by the superb Yuen Shun Yee (Simon Yuen's real son). After being met with a series of protests, Foggy finally seems to convince his "dad" to teach him the drunk fist style. Foggy is made to carry out all sorts of gruelling tasks in his training, only to find out that Seed had no intention of training him. Humiliated, Foggy leaves to resume working, and meets with Rubberlegs' student. The student then realizes that foggy could lead his master to Seed. Foggy ends up doing just that, and the inevitable fight between the two styles begins. Seed ends up getting a serious beatdown, because Legs has combined mantis fist style with drunken style. Seed escapes, and sends Foggy to his brother who is a master of the Sickness style of boxing.
Yeah.
Sickness.
The Master has a pale and sullen look about him, he can't seem to kick his dry hacks, his voice is low and raspy, and he hangs out in a casket!
What???
What should be LAME by description is anything but.
The sickness style looks pretty sweet-especially during the training scenes.
When Seed recovers from his ass whippin', he goes to visit his brother to see how Foggy is, but he's out and about.
While Foggy is out, he meets with Legs' student again, and has a rematch, keeping him occupied while Rubberlegs makes his way to Sick Master's place to finish the job on Seed.
Foggy, armed with the sick style combined with the drunk style easily handles the student, and swiftly makes his way back to Sick Masters place just in time to save Seed.
I liked everything about this film- crazy fighting styles, revenge plot, weird characters, and punishing training sessions, but I have to give this film a paltry 2 Kung-Fu kicks out of 5.
The stunt double had more screen time than the guy he was playing, and even though Simon Yuen's other son played the part, it was just too obvious. That constantly annoyed and ruined the film for me. What was cool though, was the action. Each fight was HEAVILY choreographed, and each move was an almost perfect representation of the strange and incredibly interesting art of drunken fist boxing. Rightly so, considering Yuen Woo Ping directed the film. He would go on to direct the martial arts action in the Kill Bill films, the Matrix films, and Crouching Tiger hidden dragon.
Till next time,
PEACE.
Monday, September 17, 2007
You're A Big Boy Now...
My boy is growing up on me...
It's killing me because every time I look at a photo of him, he seems to have changed.
It's crazy.
I thought he would stay the same forever, but I guess that's not gonna happen.
The sprout is swiftly becoming a little boy.
It's slightly bittersweet, but It will be nice when he is able to walk, because we can then experience more things as a family.
We will be able to go to the zoo, the park, the museum etc.
The boy is amazing! He is now able to maneuver himself from one end of what he has pulled himself up to standing to the other end. He has perfected the "Geronimo Drop" from standing- down to either his knees, or his diaper padded bottom. And he can imitate us at the drop of a hat- patting his hands, beating on pots, and coughing at will.
All is well in his world except for the cold he seemed to have caught from me which left him wheezing all night long. After a visit to baby doc today, we were assured that the only danger he or we faced was the possible smearing of snot on himself or on us...
Yeah, we thought it was pretty Gross too.
PEACE.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Yo Gabba Gabba
This show is new on Nickelodeon, and it has elements of Pee Wee's Playhouse, The Electric Company, Teletubbies, and Old School Hip-Hop all mixed in with lessons in manners, counting, addition, and healthy eating habits...
All the stuff a growing boy needs.
My son is getting used to all the craziness, and manic movement/psychedelic colors, but I think it will grow on him soon. It sure has grown on me.
Plus, it has cool musicians like the Aquabats, Smoosh, and the Aggrolites.
Awesome!
Biz's Beat of the Day
Biz Markie on a children's t.v. show giving beat boxing lessons?
This is the show for my son!
Friday, September 14, 2007
I'm Bored...
So I'm sitting at home sick, and I am bored out of my freaking skull! Last nite, I had to leave a client to brush her own hair, because I was literally about to pass out. Before leaving, I stretched out on the floor of our office to take a breather, and I slipped in and out twice(?)
I'm not sure.
I had a crazy head pounder, and I felt super queasy.
I was sort of fine the whole day up until that point, but had been feeling the effects of an oncoming cold for the whole week despite the copious ingestion of airbourne.
I guess I looked bad when I explained to a couple of employees that I was leaving, because their expressions were similar to those of people looking at a dead man walking.
They, and their clients asked if I would need a ride home, but I graciously declined.
I'm sure they all thought I would buy the farm on the way home.
Not so.
When I finally arrived home, It was not soon enough.
I trudged into the crib, grunted something to the wife, (the boy was already in bed) and crashed on the couch fully clothed, tie and all.
I remember mumbling something about leaving a trash can next to me, and that was about it till this morning.
Today I'm still a bit fuzzy, but I've been taking it easy so I can hit it hard tomorrow.
Man I tell you.
You know I'm doing bad when a co-worker orders pizza with double cheese, mushrooms, and extra pepperoni, and I can't even stand to smell it.
But I'm a million times better, and tomorrow will certainly be much more productive than today...
PEACE.
I'm not sure.
I had a crazy head pounder, and I felt super queasy.
I was sort of fine the whole day up until that point, but had been feeling the effects of an oncoming cold for the whole week despite the copious ingestion of airbourne.
I guess I looked bad when I explained to a couple of employees that I was leaving, because their expressions were similar to those of people looking at a dead man walking.
They, and their clients asked if I would need a ride home, but I graciously declined.
I'm sure they all thought I would buy the farm on the way home.
Not so.
When I finally arrived home, It was not soon enough.
I trudged into the crib, grunted something to the wife, (the boy was already in bed) and crashed on the couch fully clothed, tie and all.
I remember mumbling something about leaving a trash can next to me, and that was about it till this morning.
Today I'm still a bit fuzzy, but I've been taking it easy so I can hit it hard tomorrow.
Man I tell you.
You know I'm doing bad when a co-worker orders pizza with double cheese, mushrooms, and extra pepperoni, and I can't even stand to smell it.
But I'm a million times better, and tomorrow will certainly be much more productive than today...
PEACE.
John Edwards - Response to President Bush
Bitch slap to George Bush AND the democratically controlled Congress for the support of the surge in Iraq...
Wow.
That puts quite a dent in my cynical armor.
PEACE.
Monday, September 10, 2007
I'm Doomed...
To watch Higglytown Heroes on the Disney Channel EVERY DAY for the next few years.
The boy loves them.
Oh well, at least the theme and all the other music is by They Might Be Giants.
Peace.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
Kung Fu Review #1
Welcome to the first of many Kung Fu Reviews.
In order to get all the dust off of my kung fu/karate movies, I will be watching them and writing a review for every single martial arts film that I own.
I will give my point of view as to whether the film is first-rate, or if it stinks worse than dog poop.
So without further ado, here we go.
The film I watched last night was called "Invincible Armour", and i must admit, having forgotten just what this film was about, I felt more than a little skeptical about if it should be the first one to review. The opening credits were more than enough to get me hyped up. During the opening, the narrator explained that the technique known as Iron Armour was the most effective martial art in terms of defense, while Eagle's Claw was the most effective in terms of offense. Combined, the two styles were considered unbeatable.
So at this point, I'm thinking "somebody is gonna be a bad mofo up in this if they've mastered BOTH styles!
On to the plot.
The story begins when a traveler named Hu Long happens upon a Ming Dynasty Minister, a Pai Mei, or Bak Mei like character. They briefly test each other's abilities, and compare notes, and in a beautifully choreographed exhibition match, Hu Long cheats and kills the Minister.
His right hand man, General Chow tries to subdue the assassin, but fails, and at the same time is accused of the murder. Before the authorities can apprehend him, he vows to avenge his master. He then sets off on his task, and the news of Minister's murder makes its way back to Ming Minister Chang. (Another Bak Mei)
He then sends out his own man Security Chief Shen Yu to find General Chow and kill him on sight as immediately as possible-no questions asked.
During his search for Hu Long, General Chow meets and helps out a young
boy's sister stop the lewd advances of a bully, and the boy and Chow become fast friends. The boy then teaches Chow a new technique called Iron Finger, which is even more fomidable than Eagle's Claw.
Minister Chang, having grown tired of waiting for Shen Yu to report General Chow's death, decides to find use his mastery of the Iron Armour, and Eagle's Claw styles to kill Chow.
Remember that bad mofo I was telling you about?
Now that you have the gist of what the film is about, go out and rent/buy/see it!!! The various styles of Kung Fu are excellently excecuted, the special effects (reverse camera jumps/slow motion/blood spurts) are everything you would expect in a martial arts film. The fight choreography is spot on throughout the entire film, and although the acting is'nt top-notch, the passion and emotions of the actors are almost palpable. All in all, Invincible Armour is a great film, and I give it 4 Kung Fu Kicks out of 5. It would have gotten a 5, but the acting could have been better, and Chow's training scene seemed slightly rushed.
Peace.
In order to get all the dust off of my kung fu/karate movies, I will be watching them and writing a review for every single martial arts film that I own.
I will give my point of view as to whether the film is first-rate, or if it stinks worse than dog poop.
So without further ado, here we go.
The film I watched last night was called "Invincible Armour", and i must admit, having forgotten just what this film was about, I felt more than a little skeptical about if it should be the first one to review. The opening credits were more than enough to get me hyped up. During the opening, the narrator explained that the technique known as Iron Armour was the most effective martial art in terms of defense, while Eagle's Claw was the most effective in terms of offense. Combined, the two styles were considered unbeatable.
So at this point, I'm thinking "somebody is gonna be a bad mofo up in this if they've mastered BOTH styles!
On to the plot.
The story begins when a traveler named Hu Long happens upon a Ming Dynasty Minister, a Pai Mei, or Bak Mei like character. They briefly test each other's abilities, and compare notes, and in a beautifully choreographed exhibition match, Hu Long cheats and kills the Minister.
His right hand man, General Chow tries to subdue the assassin, but fails, and at the same time is accused of the murder. Before the authorities can apprehend him, he vows to avenge his master. He then sets off on his task, and the news of Minister's murder makes its way back to Ming Minister Chang. (Another Bak Mei)
He then sends out his own man Security Chief Shen Yu to find General Chow and kill him on sight as immediately as possible-no questions asked.
During his search for Hu Long, General Chow meets and helps out a young
boy's sister stop the lewd advances of a bully, and the boy and Chow become fast friends. The boy then teaches Chow a new technique called Iron Finger, which is even more fomidable than Eagle's Claw.
Minister Chang, having grown tired of waiting for Shen Yu to report General Chow's death, decides to find use his mastery of the Iron Armour, and Eagle's Claw styles to kill Chow.
Remember that bad mofo I was telling you about?
Now that you have the gist of what the film is about, go out and rent/buy/see it!!! The various styles of Kung Fu are excellently excecuted, the special effects (reverse camera jumps/slow motion/blood spurts) are everything you would expect in a martial arts film. The fight choreography is spot on throughout the entire film, and although the acting is'nt top-notch, the passion and emotions of the actors are almost palpable. All in all, Invincible Armour is a great film, and I give it 4 Kung Fu Kicks out of 5. It would have gotten a 5, but the acting could have been better, and Chow's training scene seemed slightly rushed.
Peace.
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