FMA in the Movies.

[arnisador]

Tracking The Hunted (http://actionadventure.about.com/library/weekly/aa031403.htm)

Story on Tom Brown and the use of Sayoc Kali in The Hunted.

Martial arts saved Ronnie's life twice (http://www.inq7.net/globalnation/sec_sho/2004/jun/28-03.htm)

"Ronnie Ricketts said his knowledge in martial arts has been helping him not only in his movies but also in keeping himself from danger in real life."

Behind Bourne (http://actionadventure.about.com/library/weekly/2002/aa061402a.htm)

Matt Damon discusses his Kali training for the Bourne films (among other subjects).

[arnisador]

New spin on timeless tale (http://www.clickthecity.com/citysense/?p=839)

A stage production of Romeo and Juliet in the Phil.: "This staging is also peppered with Filipino nuances, like the popularity of basketball, and the use of arnis in leiu of swords as weapons."


The warrior in Pauleen Luna (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2005/12/12/ENTR2005121251507.html)

The actress is an arnisador.

[arnisador]

Documentaries & Arts: Mind, Body & Kick Ass Moves: The Masters - Philippines (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/tv/mind_body/masters_philippines.shtml)

Chris Crudelli presnts a 10-episode documentary on martial arts masters. There is FMA coverage in several episodes, including Ernesto Presas, Leo Gaje, and others (see the episode guide). It is unclear to me when this show (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/tv/mind_body/index.shtml) did or will air.

[Buwaya]

Documentaries & Arts: Mind, Body & Kick Ass Moves: The Masters - Philippines (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/tv/mind_body/masters_philippines.shtml)

Chris Crudelli presnts a 10-episode documentary on martial arts masters. There is FMA coverage in several episodes, including Ernesto Presas, Leo Gaje, and others (see the episode guide). It is unclear to me when this show (http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/tv/mind_body/index.shtml) did or will air.

It aired a while back. Footage of Haring Bakal, the Manilla Pitbulls(PTK) training the Philippine Marines, Black Eagle Eskrima, Bakbakan world heaquarters, Kombatan, Doce Pares headquarters, Mang Leo Gaje and Rommel Tortal playing with blades, Daniel Foronda taking the host Agimat shopping in Metro Manilla, things like that.

Chris Crudelli was back in the PI recently but I don't know who was filmed or when and if it will air.

BTW, the FMA isn't captured in one show but spread out throughout the entire series, so if you don't like kungfu, systema and other things, you'll just have to fast forward through those parts.

[arnisador]

MOVIES: 'Ultraviolet': 'Hollywood Do' at its best; Vampire flick features rainbow of fighting styles

(http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/entertainment/13995458.htm)

The new movie Ultraviolet will feature techniques from many martial arts. In particular, "[Milla] Jovovich also worked closely with [Robert] Alonzo on eskrima, a Filipino stick fighting style...". Wushu (http://people.aol.com/people/articles/0,19736,1168358,00.html) is also a heavy influence ('Mastering the skills, though, came with a price. "The funniest part is the worst injury I got, I gave to myself," says Jovovich (pronounced Yo-vo-vitch). "At one point during this big action scene, I had the sword spinning so fast and I end up stabbing myself in the leg."').

[arnisador]

Now Playing on YouTube: Web Videos by Everyone (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/03/arts/03tube.html?_r=1&oref=slogin)

An article on youtube.com (http://youtube.com) and their vidos. "Like the Nike commercial, and the mesmerizing, disturbing "Knife Skills," in which a sullen young woman wields a butterfly knife at high speed, "guitar" is a display of unalloyed physical virtuosity that preempts criticism." I assume butterfly knife means balisong here but haven't looked for the video.

From the Armory of Middle Earth (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/business/yourmoney/02goods.html)

An article on designing the knives for Lord of the Rings memorabilia, prompted by the new LOTR stage musical (no actual FMA angle, just knife design).

[kabaroan]

I think I saw a trailer where MI-3 had some sinawali going on, but it was real quick.

[PeteNerd]

I think I saw a trailer where MI-3 had some sinawali going on, but it was real quick.

trying to find that in the trailer, but couldn't... anyway here's a link to a picture I found http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mission_impossible_3/gallery.php?page=29&size=hires&nopop=1

my mom said she saw pictures of tom cruise doing some stick fighting in MI-3 a couple months ago, i never saw them though.

Pete

[PeteNerd]

I think I saw a trailer where MI-3 had some sinawali going on, but it was real quick.
here's more pictures

http://www.egotastic.com/entertainment/movies/mission-impossible-3-doesnt-inspire-000608

[arnisador]

This 1964 film (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_Door_to_Hell) isn't a martial arts movie, though there is some simple military knife usage, but it was filmed on location in the Phil. It's about a trio of American soldiers in WWII who are preparing the way for Gen. MacArthur's return. I just watched it and it had some great scenery of the Philippines' jungle. There were numerous Filipino actors in it and a lot of their dialogue wasn't translated. I do not know if it was Tagalog or a regional dialect. It's most notable for a young Jack Nicholson, but worth checking out for FMA enthusiasts.

[arnisador]

Hollywood film to shoot in Manila next year (http://goodnewspilipinas.com/docs/entertainment_success/current/wages_of_sin.html)


"Wages of Sin," a Universal Pictures political thriller starring Filipino and Hollywood actors will be filmed and produced entirely in Manila starting October 2007.


Scheduled for global release in 2008, the movie is set to star Kelly Hu and Lou Diamond Phillips. G Toengi and Charlize Theron's martial arts trainer, Fil–Am actor Neal 'Xingu' Rodil will lead the Filipino cast.


Producer-Director Shane Trace said "Wages of Sin" is in its early stages of production, including casting and auditioning Filipino actors to join the international cast. The film outfit of Trace is Umbrella Six, a subsidiary company under Hollywood's Universal Pictures.


The 26–year-old filmmaker described the movie to be a "cross between 'Ong–Bok' and 'Bourne Identity' with interesting sub–plots the characters of the movie will confront" while non–stop action skates through the streets of Manila.


See also the bottom of this page (http://etfil-am.org/).

LUCY LIU PRETTY AS A PICTURE AT NEW YORK ART EXHIBITION (http://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2006/09/20/lucy-liu-art/)


The diminutive bombshell, who is an expert in the Indonesian combat sport of Kali-Eskkrima-Silat, proved her talents were not limited to arts of the martial variety when she arrived for the event with Lucky Number Slevin co-star Bruce Willis. The actress is in fact a rather accomplished painter and photographer, having previously exhibited in both New York and California.

[kuntawguro]

FOLKLORE http://www.believeinfolklore.com/
http://www.record-eagle.com/2006/oct/20folklore.htm
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk6Sjcabz9I&mode=related&search=

LOST TREASURE OF SAWTOOTH ISLAND http://www.brauer.com/pages/prod/cinema/sawtooth/sti_nw.html

Both of these movies have techniques from Maharlika Kuntaw, fights were coreographed and stunt doubles came from the Northern Martial Arts Academy Kuntaw Club

[arnisador]

TEACHING GUYS THE MOVES: She's a master at stage fight

(http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/q/chi-0704110326apr15,1,1615405.story)

She's a certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors, whose membership isn't exactly brimming with the fairer sex. But she also teaches at Roosevelt University and the Actors Gymnasium and says most of her students these days are women.

[Angela] Bonacasa's first exposure to her craft came when a roommate persuaded her to go to a stage combat class.

"Within an hour and a half, I was hooked," she said. "It was exciting and empowering to go to town on people. It was a safe place to explore all this kind of stuff physically and emotionally."

[408kali]

Being from California, I am especially attracted to this stuff... movie combat choreography (esp. the Blade trilogies) and even personal security.. hey sounds alot like what Grandmaster Uddin does for a living.. peep his bio on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_Sultan_Uddin

[arnisador]

OCEAN'S THIRTEEN
Show me the money (http://entertainment.iafrica.com/movies/newrelease/968429.htm)


Matt Damon learned the eskrima fighting style for the 'Bourne' films

Just a brief mention of this in the context of an Ocean's Thirteen review, but with The Bourne Ultimatu (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0440963/maindetails)m due out soon I thought I'd not it!

[arnisador]

I just watched HBO's brief promo for the third Bourne film: The Bourne Ultimatum: HBO First Look.

They showed a few scenes of him practicing FMA with Joey Ansah (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1438275/bio) (who plays "Desh"). At one point there's a very clear gunting followed by what looks like a hubbud excerpt, leading into a wrist lock. Later in the fight is a nice example of elbow control by Matt Damon. He also used what appears to be a straight walking cane against two assailants, ending in a stick lock. (They showed him switching between identical-looking canes in a break in filming--perhaps one was soft for safety and the other harder for realism, and they were used in different parts of the shot?) At other points he used a hardcover book as a weapon and also used a cloth of some sort to block and then execute a wrap-and-lock, followed by a palm strike. There was also some more empty-hands work against various opponents. It looks exciting! I'll look forward to being able to TiVo it and watch the fights in slo-mo. :D

It sounded like Joey Ansah was the main antagonist that he dealt with directly in the film, and was intended to be his equal. According to his biography, he studies Capoeira and Ninjutsu, and has trained with Maasaki Hatsumi. He did his own fight stunts and apparently Matt Damon did also.

Jeff Imada (http://www.geocities.com/johan_a77/ImadaJ.html) was the fight coordinator. He described the martial arts used as "basically Filipino Kali, with a little bit of Bruce Lee's stuff tied in" but did not elaborate on what specific type of FMA was used.

The Bourne Ultimatum Photos (http://movies.aol.com/movie/the-bourne-ultimatum/22994/photos/to-go-back-to-the-beginning-and-find-out-who-he-was/1946954)

Trailers and pics here (http://www.zannel.com/viewer.jsp?title=TT90MNRWAF).

Bourne and Desh:

[arnisador]

Resident Evil: Extinction was not a good movie, but Milla Jovovich (why can't she get a half-way decent role--she deserves at least slightly better than this) does use what appears to be a pair of kukhris or similar for a while.

[Brock]

Resident Evil: Extinction was not a good movie, but Milla Jovovich (why can't she get a half-way decent role--she deserves at least slightly better than this) does use what appears to be a pair of kukhris or similar for a while.

It seems she's been type-cast since doing The 5th Element.

[ScorpioVI]

Under Siege has excellent sequences in Kadena De Mano. Hadn't seen the movie since I was a kid but had to go out and get it just to watch the KDM parts when my Guro told me about it.

[madmicah]

doesn't exactly have the same production values as flicks like the bourne-series or the resident evil movies but an actual FMA expert--Burton Richardson--shot a film in the Phil this summer. I think he stars and a bunch of his senior students also appear in the movie. not sure if/when it will see wide-release stateside but check out the trailer: http://onepercentfull.blogspot.com/2007/08/movie-trailer_2321.html

[arnisador]

This movie has brief usage of a kerambit in mountain-climber style, to cut ropes one-handed. A knife is used as a weapon but only against a restrained opponent.

[arnisador]

The upcoming film Doomsday (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_%28film%29) (inspired by one of my favorites, Escape from New York) will feature (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2007/09/30/2007-09-30_hot_heroines_in_apocalyptic_flicks-1.html):


"Our heroine, Eden Sinclair, was sort of inspired by Kurt Russell's Snake Plissken in 'Escape from New York.' And, by the way, we do have a cage match, a gladiator fight, with Rhona Mitra using lots of weapons."

I caught the add and definitely saw swordwork but couldn't say if it was FMA-inspired or not.

[silat1]

There are a couple of movies that come to mind when including the FMA. The first one included Cass Magda and Gary Daniels which was named "Hawk's revenge". It included fighting sequences from the FMA and Penchak silat which were choreographed by Cass.

The second one was an old John Wayne movie during his time right after the second world war and was called "Return to Bataan" where a filipino used his balisong to take out a japanese sentry while on the Bataan death march to the prisoner of war camps which were located in Camp O' Donnell Tarlac and Cabuattan City.

[Brock]

There are a couple of movies that come to mind when including the FMA. The first one included Cass Magda and Gary Daniels which was named "Hawk's revenge". It included fighting sequences from the FMA and Penchak silat which were choreographed by Cass.

I believe the movie was actually HAWK'S VENGENCE, easy mistake though. I've trained with Cass a few times in the past 2 years. He's very skilled.

[silat1]

I believe the movie was actually HAWK'S VENGENCE, easy mistake though. I've trained with Cass a few times in the past 2 years. He's very skilled.


My mistake, been a few years since I've seen the video and the store that had it went belly up within the last month, so I guess that is one title that old timer's disease of CRS will put in the gray matter for future use

[gagimilo]

That one the High Art (aka Exposure) with Peter Coyotte and Tcheky Karyo is the subject of my constant search (being that I have never seen any of those two), but alas, to no avail so far...

[arnisador]

I enjoyed Exposure. I haven't seen it in ages though--I saw it on HBO many years ago.

[pguinto]

I saw Exposure years ago too; its good for a sitting.
the storyline gets dry fast and becomes extremely predictable.
u might wind up rewinding to replay the 1st knife scene.
it was quite interesting, and i thought the technique was an extremely dangerous move vs a seasoned knife fighter. it was my thought that he was lucky the guy with the knife didnt follow his thrust with a slash, nor did he know the "sewing machine" concept. however tcheky did look cool, calm, and very confident; props...

for more info, click the link
http://imdb.com/title/tt0101834/

Also Known As (AKA):
Exposure Canada (English title) / Sweden / USA (TV title)
El Arte de matar Spain
Arte mortale Italy
Código de Luta Portugal (original subtitled version)
Exposure - Die hohe Kunst des Tötens Germany
Gran art Spain (Catalan title)
High Art (undefined)
Knife Fighter (undefined)
Knivens egg Sweden
Korkeimman kädessä Finland
Kunszt Poland
Sztuka zabijania Poland
The Knife Europe

[silat1]

That one the High Art (aka Exposure) with Peter Coyotte and Tcheky Karyo is the subject of my constant search (being that I have never seen any of those two), but alas, to no avail so far...


The movie exposure was choreographed by Chris Kent from the JKD lineage.. There is the asterik cutting pattern outlined on a mirror where Peter Coyote is practicing his cutting lines on the pattern with a ruler and Tcheky Karyo is watching plus making comments..
The movie also shows some good tapping and passing drills later on in the movie with sheaths still on the knives.. Then the live blade comes out later on.

BTW: I have the movie :biggrinbo

[arnisador]

BTW: I have the movie

Given how few good knife-fighting movies there are out there, I can't afford to hate this one!

[pguinto]

Given how few good knife-fighting movies there are out there, I can't afford to hate this one!
haha arni, he said he has the movie, not that he hates it

[arnisador]

Ouch! I misread it! Sorry...

[arnisador]

We saw Wanted tonight. There was a knife-training scene and a later scene where knives (or short swords) were used, but it was very much fantasy martial arts.

[arnisador]

Lots of sword and spear play, but mostly fantasy style--maybe wushu influenced.

[Shonin]

I saw Wanted last night and thoroughly disliked it. While scenes of a scantily clad Ms. Jolie are not to be discounted, the fight scenes, most especially the use of firearms, were utterly ridiculous. And while I both love a good fantasy, and have done my share of serious social work, a movie which makes a light hearted romp out of the wholesale slaughter of other living things, human or otherwise, just doesn't sit right with me.

On the other hand, in the list of movies containing FMA I am surprised no one has mentioned:

The stick fighting scene from the second Rambo movie, and
Lucy Liu and her use of dual ASPs from Ballistic.The boards say she still trains in the FMA. Does anyone know who she trains with?

[arnisador]

I'm not sure who Lucy Liu trains under, despite all the attention she gets!

Here's another:
Rachel Luttrell interview (http://www.thescifiworld.net/interviews/rachel_luttrell_01.htm)


Rachel Luttrell was born in Tanzania and moved to Canada with her family at the age of five. Her mother is from Lushoto, Tanzania, and her father is a Louisiana native of British descent. Her classical studies included ballet (she trained at The Russian Academy of Classical Ballet) and music (she plays the piano and sings, having been trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and by her father). Rachel got the role of Teyla in Stargate Atlantis where she learned martial artsfor the role.
[...]
Rachel Luttrell: No, I didn’t. As I said, most of my physical training in the past has been dancing, and no, I had never done any martial arts whatsoever. When I got up here, our stunt coordinator, whose name is James Bamford, I was introduced to him, and he saw I had an athletic form, so he decided he would start teaching me the basics of a martial art, called KALI, which is a martial art out of the Philippines. That was my very first introduction to it. When he showed it to me originally, I was quite concerned because it looked like something I would never be able to do, but I practice, and practice, and practice. I think because of my dance training, it’s a little bit easier for me to pick up the choreography. I break it down as if it were a dance when we are doing fight sequences, and that is how I learn it.

[arnisador]

R79c7Yuw2qo

[5tirosCamarin]

...the fight scenes, most especially the use of firearms, were utterly ridiculous...


I was watching Rush Hour 3 (I know, I know, Chinese not FMA) and I realized, Hollywood doesn't seem to understand anymore that when firearms are used, people die or get mortally wounded. In Hollywood, a fully-automatic assault rifle is nothing more than a string of firecrackers. Nobody ever gets hit, even when the bad guy is unloading a whole friggin clip! Apparently all you have to do to dodge a spray from an AK is duck a little and run frantically up a fire escape. You'll be fine!

[Brock]

Naw, it's just that Chris Tucker's voice creates a sonic shield that protects him from bullets.
:uzi::bigun2:

Works for him in real life too, so I suggest this:
:kicknuts:

[5tirosCamarin]

Hahahaha is there anything these little smiley faces don't do?

Chris Tucker probably has a 500 lb body guard that's a pro wrestler and a Lakan Sampo to keep him safe from bullets. Hold on while I see if there's a smiley face of a 500 lb arnisador... nope, couldn't find one. I did find a big pirate face though.

[Enganyo]

Occasionally, you'll see FMA weapons as decor on tv and in movies. In 'Naked City', there are 2 kris hanging on the wall of a suspects apartment and the comedy series 3rd Rock from the Sun has an Igorot shield.

If you like Exposure, check out Night of the Running Man, Fire in the Night, The Dangerous, Club Vampire, Kamagong, Mano Mano 3, Hawk's Vengeance, Vault, Pacific Connection, and Sticks of Death.

[arnisador]

Grindhouse: Freddy Rodriguez with the double balisong.

[arnisador]

Transporter 3 had lots of great martial arts action (though choppily edited--on purpose, apparently) including modified scarf/rope techniques with his suit. There was a staff scene (with an iron pipe from an automotive garage) but the techniques looked more like Wing Chun to me.

Watchmen looks very encouraging from the trailer!!!

[arnisador]

I didn't watch all of Hitman, but the sword fight on the train was pretty preposterous.

[MPC1257]

I found a post on the PSDTC forum regarding Burton Richardson doing a movie...
Here are a couple of links: http://forum.psdtc.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2886 and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf_FJr-OISM

I thought the youtube trailer looked pretty good.
Has anybody else heard of this film?

[Waltyr]

I checked out the youtube trailer of the movie. It looks pretty good from what I saw and decided to take a chance and buy the movie. Once it arrives, I'll let you all know if its good (meaning: realistic fight scences!)

Speaking of movies with FMA in them, I went and saw the movie TAKEN with Liam Neeson. First off, the character that Liam Neeson portrays is pretty bad ass. He takes No prisoners at all!! The gun fight scenes aren't bad, some gun disarms that I don't know if I would attempt to do but hey, its hollywood. Towards the end, there is one character that Liam Neeson goes up against who happens to wield a korambit (and a rather large one at that). Of course, Neeson is fighting the guy empty- handed.
Now, this is where I have to make a disclaimer on my part: since I was sitting in the very first row of the movie theater, I couldn't get a good look of the fight movements going on so it was a bit hard to tell on some of the action sequences.
Either way, I recommened it. It has a good story line, good characters, decent fight scenes, and if anyone catches that korambit-like weapons wielded at towards the end of the movie, let us know.


W.v.

[TheSilentOne]

Now, this is where I have to make a disclaimer on my part: since I was sitting in the very first row of the movie theater, I couldn't get a good look of the fight movements going on so it was a bit hard to tell on some of the action sequences.

W.v.

Just a friendly reminder. When you are at the movies. It is best to take the middle or the one with a steep incline all the way in the back. Never sit in the side seats.

Always sit in the center where you have perfect field of vision and good audio amplifying the audience. Go to the movies about 30 minutes beforehand to have guaranteed seats in the center.

That way no one bum rushes you in the waiting line or they go running to grab the seats in the dark theater. :D

With that said, Haven't been able to get a chance to watch " Taken ". Should be watching that movie soon ... :cool:

[arnisador]

Nice though brief usage of a knife as a backup weapon by the principal enforcer character here...

[JJSwan]

Big Stan has several FMA scenes, including one showing double stick disarms. It's a Rob Schneider comedy that went straight to DVD in the U.S., BUT is surprisingly funny. Rob Schneider studies at the Inosanto Academy, and the movie has cameos from some Inosanto people, including Guro Dan himself (whose character Schneider literally kicks in the butt).

[arnisador]

Eastern Promises has a great empty-hand-vs. knife fight, that many reviewers said will be a standard by which future ones are judged, but Viggo Mortensen is fully frontal nude throughout it... :(

[Enganyo]

The Eastern Promises scene was eye opening and if you like gritty prison fights, check out Felon with Stephen Dorff and Val Kilmer. It's one of the few films were shanks are super small and concealable (see if you can find Kilmer's shank) and the fights were choreographed by an MMA trainer.

If you don't care about realism in prison movies, there's Undisputed II with Michael Jai White an MMA flick set in Russia. Remember, parapelegics are the best people to practice leg locks on. ;)

If you don't care about plot and quality, there's The Shepherd: Border Patrol with JC Van Damme. Fight scenes include a gun disarm into a flying armbar, backflip into an armbar, and some FMA palasut with a knife in the final fight.

[arnisador]

Only in Hollywood
(http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20091120-237424/Fil-Am-designs-Christmas-Carol-characters) Fil-Am designs ‘Christmas Carol’ characters (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20091120-237424/Fil-Am-designs-Christmas-Carol-characters)


Roel, who is skilled in eskrima, demonstrated the Filipino martial art that stresses stick, knife and sword fighting to the art department working on the “Star Wars” episode films. Roel’s eskrima moves inspired the fighting style of the Jedis.

[arnisador]

Designing Christmas (http://www.mb.com.ph/node/231373)


I also have kept with Filipino traditions in that I’ve practiced Filipino martial arts for 23 years. It has taught me about my homeland and has gotten me more in touch with my roots.

[arnisador]

On last night's Dave Letterman show, Denzel Washington discussed training with Jeff Imada, whom he identified as a student of Dan Inosanto although it didn't sound as though he had trained with him too, to do the fights in the movie.

He also said that when he was 9 he took Kung Fu briefly.

[arnisador]

REVIEW: ‘The Red Canvas’ (2008) (http://www.kungfucinema.com/review-the-red-canvas-2008-12792)



Former child star and martial artist Ernie Reyes Jr. joins the crops of the Mixed Martial Arts fad with this action drama. However, unlike most of the recent MMA films that have churned out, this one nicely blends in straightforward drama with the action, in which Reyes Jr. uses more of his skills in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiujitsu rather than his trademark taekwondo skills.
[...]
Even the elder Reyes Sr. gets to have a small fight himself before his character nearly meets his fate, using some escrima with some of his trademark taekwondo.

[eskrimakaliarnis.com]

I've certainly seen a lot worse M.A movies then this one.

[rideoutblades]

Denzel was also on Jay Leno. He did mention training with Jeff Imada and Dan Inosanto for 6 months. When he mentioned Dan Inosanto Jay Leno said "I know him". It's pretty cool how many celebrities know Guro Dan. Guro is the martial arts advisor for Book of Eli. There is an article about it on Inosanto Academy's website. There are also a few of Guro's students in the film.

[arnisador]

REVIEW: ‘The Book of Eli’ (2010) (http://www.kungfucinema.com/review-the-book-of-eli-2010-12850)



For action choreographer Jeff Imada, the man behind the rugged fight work in the Jason Bourne films, the action in this movie marks a new benchmark for intense and efficient defensive martial arts fighting on screen. I use the term defensive martial arts to denote the reality-based fighting that Imada and his mentor Dan Inosanto specialize in. Once a student of Bruce Lee, Inosanto has become a well-respected martial arts master who has applied Lee’s Jeet Kune Do principles to the Filipino arts of Kali and Escrima. He was hired to train Washington for six months prior to the filming of ELI.


At age 55, it would seem a little late for Denzel Washington to start playing a martial arts-trained action hero but he must have been a quick study because he looks mighty lethal onscreen. It helps tremendously that the kind of fighting he is required to do is based on efficiency rather than style. Imada’s brand of screen fighting is the polar opposite of physically-demanding, performance oriented contemporary wushu, as used by Jet Li and syncopated Chinese opera kung fu as used by Jackie Chan. The difference can be boiled down to the amount of telegraphing of movement that takes place. In wushu and kung fu movements are often greatly exaggerated in extended sparring matches whereas Imada’s screen fighting is closer to what a real street fighter needs to do which is remain compact and make each strike count.

[arnisador]

I just watched "The Book of Eli: HBO First Look" on HBO and there were brief segments showing Jeff Imada doing some techniques and Dan Inosanto speaking about what a quick study Denzel Washington was.

[The Old Way Traveler]

in "enforcers from Death Row," Leo Fong and the late GM Manong Angel Cabales did a short, but beautiful Serrada Free Flow... it's on youtube if you guys want to check it out... wait a minute.. here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMZmdj4HI9A

my take on it is that a lot of action movies show FMA because it looks good and it's actually pretty effective... however, all FMA (styles, that is) is too fast to be captured on film, so sometimes they have to "simplify" or "dumb things down".. nevertheless, it still brings a smile to my face when i see it on screen..

[kuntawguro]

I was just contacted by the director from Prometheus Motion Pictures to do another acting / stunt work job. I worked with them a few years back on "FOLKLORE"http://www.believeinfolklore.com/images/FL_cover.jpgIt was a fun project teaching them how to fight and have it look real. Folklore trailer (http://www.believeinfolklore.com/?page=trailer)

Now they have a new project "Scourge" and have offered me a supporting role as well as fighting. I am to be Oppetto a knarly old dude who kicks butt with anything- stick, staff, sword, hands.


Hey Buzz,

Would you be willing to spend a little time blocking out the scene between you and the acolyte if I brought him up to TC to train with you for a day or two?

I haven't cast it yet, but I'm looking at an actor with an extensive background in Kali (his older brother is Inasonto certified). It's important that the actor have a fighting style very reminiscent of Kuntaw (because thats what Oppetto uses).

Casting is going great, we've had well over 150 auditions set up, with lots of *very* talented people. I'll be starting a production blog soon so you can see all of the great stuff being produced for the POC, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Also, can you send your measurements to Audrey for costume purposes? Additionally, can you stop getting your hair cut or shaving now? I want Oppetto to have a very unkept look, kinda like what you looked like when I first met you (thats not a slight, it looked great. You hadn't gotten a hair cut in awhile, and your beard was a few inches long)

Talk soon,

Andrew

The other project I wanted to mention to you was that of the former AVATAR script. To make a long story short, I never stopped developing that idea, and have transitioned the concept from a generic fantasy background into a post-apocalyptic world (all of that information is in the attachment Pre-Production packet, and contains info on the Proof-of-concept as well as a broader overview of the world), and to create an ongoing broadcast series from this as opposed to a stand alone movie. To make this happen, I’ve assembled a creative team that includes Tobias Dawson (who made all of the swords and other props for Folk Lore and has been a creative advisor/ collaborator) and Audrey Lucero (who helped to shape the world and is the projects costume designer), and will be utilizing the technical attributes of Jeff who will be DP and editor. We’ll be shooting a proof-of-concept five minute short June-11th-14th, and will use that to demonstrate a tonal feeling of a potential series as well as to showcase the production capacity of the team.
The big news however, is that in the course of developing this materiel, and through participating in the burgeoning Michigan film industry, the project has found a recent academy award nominee who would like to help produce the finished proof of concept in that capacity of pulling meetings with networks and other major distribution arms to the extent that the series is greenlit to pilot (with the hope of being picked up for series).
As you’ll recall Buzz, the story has a significant part that was written with you in mind. I know a lot time has passed, but I wanted to offer the role to you first, as you idealize the character.
Scourge (http://michiganacting.com/acting/auditions-casting-calls/scourge-casting-call-poc-detroit)

[silat1]

Remember the other outcast on the other side of the globe when you get rich and famous.. Remember, I knew you when we were both the red headed bastid step children of the group..

[kuntawguro]

Remember the other outcast on the other side of the globe when you get rich and famous.. Remember, I knew you when we were both the red headed bastid step children of the group..
Do I know you?




he he
This might be another fun project to look back on and smile. Folklore was fun and we were able to explore FMA in fight scenes.

[kuntawguro]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSm57G_jfTo&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaP1SP4AytI&feature=related

Excerpts from the movie Scourge- featuring Filipino martial arts fighting

look for the old guy with the bald head
look familiar?

[kuntawguro]

http://prometheusmotionpictures.com/%22Scourge%22.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50711144@N06/sets/72157624453768052/

[kuntawguro]

http://www.prometheusmotionpictures.com/Scourge
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50711144@N06/4775481665/in/set-72157624453768052