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Biggs’ Top 5 Martial Arts Movies

On November 5, 2020

I know November is Thanksgiving month but there really aren’t that many Thanksgiving themed movies (other than A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving). Therefore I’m going in a completely different direction; my top 5 martial arts movies. Apparently “Martial Arts” is not a recognized movie genre. They primarily fall under the “action/adventure” and even “comedy” genres. I find that disappointing. I’m such a fan of martial arts films, perhaps because I used to be in Taekwondo (in another life).

You will find that my favorite actors in martial arts films are Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Although you cannot ignore the godfather of martial arts movies, Bruce Lee. There is also the immortal Chuck Norris (who has SIX different black belts), Steven Seagal, Chow Yun-Fat, and Michelle Yeoh (to name a few more gifted martial artists). But I digress.

Here’s the list:

The Legend of Drunken Master – “Monkey drink master’s wine!”, probably my all time favorite martial arts (and Jackie Chan) film
Enter the Dragon – the most iconic Bruce Lee and martial arts movie. ever.
Shanghai Noon – I love the surrealism of Indians encountering an adept martial artist
Kiss of the Dragon – perhaps my favorite Jet Li movie
Rush Hour – I love the chemistry between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker

Honorable Mentions

I have three honorable mentions this month. It could be argued that Hard Boiled is more of an action movie than martial arts. Chow Yun-Fat is fun and this movie has one of the longest action sequences completed in a single take. Martial arts movies typically do not get a lot of media attention. However, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is actually a fairly renown movie. It’s over-the-top use of mid-air martial arts is really well done and really gives credence to it’s fantasy themes. Finally, Romeo Must Die is another one of my favorite Jet Li films. In fact I almost chose this for the top 5 instead of Kiss of the Dragon. The legend of the “kiss of the dragon” in the film is what won me over (similar to the “five point palm exploding heart technique” in Kill Bill).

On a final note; one question some may ask is: subtitles or dubbed? It depends on the movie. Most of Jackie Chan’s movies I watch dubbed (he voice dubs himself). Movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Brotherhood of the Wolf I watch with subtitles because that is how it was in the theaters.

(See last month’s Top 5)

I Have Spoken!

Some Thoughts on Star Wars Rebels

By Biggs

On October 29, 2020

In Star Wars

I haven’t written a Star Wars post in a while (other than a HMDYK post). I have one or two in draft but they are not fully thought out enough. Lately I’ve been watching Star Wars Rebels because I’ve heard so many good things about it. The final episode aired in 2018, so after 2 years, I’ve finally finished watching it. In all fairness, I haven’t had cable in five years so I didn’t have Disney XD which is the only place you could watch it (at the time, legally anyway). Thank you Disney+!

Be that as it may, I really focused on finishing Star Wars Rebels in time for Season 2 of The Mandalorian. There are rumors of characters from Rebels showing up and I wanted to be caught up. Suffice it to say, if you haven’t watch Rebels yet, you need to! The series is amazing! Its another series with Dave Filoni at the helm, so it shouldn’t be anything less than amazing. Also it gives you such a nostalgic feel of the original trilogy while also incorporating so much from the prequels and The Clone Wars.

It Has All the Feels

S4E10 — S4E11,13 — S4E15

It will make you laugh and it will make you cry (especially the second half of Season 4). I love The Clone Wars but Rebels is by far my favorite. Dave Filoni (et al.) did a fantastic job of creating a wonderful story while maintaining great continuity. I’m more inclined to go back and binge-watch Rebels again before The Clone Wars (although 4 seasons vs 7 seasons is less daunting).

I think the relationship between Kanan and Ezra and the Force is the best part of this series. Kanan and Ezra are now, easily, in my top 10 favorite Jedi. Honestly, the whole series feels like it’s more about the Force and being a Jedi than it is about the formation of the Rebellion. It’s kind of the Jedi/Padawan story we all wanted to see with Luke or Rey.

While I rank this series much higher than The Clone Wars, I think you need to have watched all of that series before starting this one. It continues and closes many storylines from TCW and perhaps even a couple of the movies. It brings in several of my favorite characters from The Clone Wars and even a couple from some fan-favorite novels. I could keep going but I don’t want to spoil it for those that haven’t seen it. Besides, you should be subscribing to Disney+ right now to go watch it.

Now, go forth and enjoy!

/MTFBWY

Confronting fear is the destiny of the Jedi.

HMDYK About Keira Knightley

By Biggs

On October 15, 2020

In HMDYK, Movies, Star Wars

Until Rey came along women were really underrepresented in Star Wars. Be that as it may, the female characters it does have are strong, fierce, and amazing characters. I could have picked one of those women like Leia, Amidala, or Jyn Erso but I like focusing on the underdogs. Those actors and actresses who are in smaller roles deserve some attention. This is why we are going to look at an underrated female character. How much do you know about Keira Knightley?

So not only is she the first female but, at 35, she’s also the youngest actor I’ve written about. While she has a minor role in Star Wars, her repertoire is far from obscure. She’s most frequently known as Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. However, before we get too far into her filmography let’s talk about her role in Star Wars; specifically The Phantom Menace.

“This is my decoy, my protection, my loyal bodyguard”

Keira Knightley played Sabé, the handmaiden who was also the Queen’s decoy. I remember feeling confused when I first saw the movie; I went in knowing that Natalie Portman was playing the queen. Then you see Padme for the first time and you know that is Natalie Portman so either she’s playing two characters or the rumors lied and she’s the handmaiden. Coincidentally that is exactly what George Lucas was hoping to accomplish.

Keira Knightley was selected to play the decoy because of her striking resemblance to Natalie Portman. In fact, there were times during filming when even their mothers couldn’t tell them apart. I have watched the movie dozens of times now and sometimes I still play the “Is that Natalie or Is that Keira” game. While the past 20 years have been kind to both of them, I don’t think they look as much alike anymore. Either way, we thank you Sabé for protecting our queen and I’m glad it was Cordé instead of you at the beginning of Attack of the Clones.

More Than Decoys and Pirates

Throughout her career, she has been ranked in at least 14 sexist/hottest/glamourous women lists, and rightfully so as she is very attractive. In 2006 she said she plans to live exclusively in London and won’t move to L.A. to further her career in American films. She is married (in 2013) with two kids.

She has nearly 60 acting credits to her name and has been in some fairly iconic roles (other than Pirates of the Caribbean). She’s been in The Nutcracker and she is an excellent Elizabeth Bennett in Pride & Prejudice. I also really enjoyed her role as Guinevere in King Arthur; in which she endured a seven-month training session in preparation for the film. She is also brilliant in The Imitation Game.

She’s also done a couple of TV-series you might recognize. She was Lara in Doctor Zhivago, Rose in Oliver Twist and Tinkerbell in a series entitled Neverland. Despite having been in Star Wars and TV-series like Oliver Twist, it wasn’t until 2002 that she made her breakthrough in Bend It Like Beckham.

Is there anything about Keira Knightley that you find interesting that I didn’t mention?

/MTFBWY

Confronting fear is the destiny of the Jedi.

Biggs’ Top 5 Halloween Movies

By Biggs

On October 5, 2020

In Biggs Top 5, Movies

Since its the October Top 5 it only makes sense that we choose the Top 5 Halloween Movies. I’m not talking about the Michael Myers Halloween franchise films but Halloween themed movies. In fact, there won’t be any horror or slasher movies on this list; I’m not really into the that genre of movies. I’ll be honest, I’m not really into Halloween. I don’t do the Haunted House thing. I barely decorate. We hand out candy and go trick-or-treating and that’s enough for me. Be that as it may, these movies are films I enjoy watching around this time either because they are fun and/or iconic; and here they are (in no particular order).

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – while there’s “no particular order”, this has to be mentioned first. Because Charlie Brown
Beetlejuice – Other than Batman, this is another iconic Michael Keaton role and a classic
Ghostbusters – Another childhood favorite and classic. I can hear the music playing in my head
The Addams Family (1991) – Another theme song that will invoke involuntary musical imagery
Nightmare Before Christmas – The debate aside, this gives me more Halloween vibes than Christmas