The Bruce Lee Club based in the UK

Jon Benn still going strong

2012-01-30T17:25:00.001Z

Jon still doing movies with the best of them. Sent today.

Bruce Lee

2011-10-17T19:58:00.000Z

HONG KONG — Hong Kong on Wednesday said it would build a gallery in honour of Bruce Lee, the Chinese-American legend who helped make martial arts mainstream with kung fu classics like "Fists of Fury".

Lee's legions of fans have long demanded a tribute to the star, who died in 1973 at the age of 32 after setting the world alight with his dazzling fight scenes and innovative martial arts choreography.

The only memorial to the actor and director in his home town -- he was born in San Francisco but spent most of his youth in Hong Kong -- has been a statue on the Avenue of Stars in the Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district.

Fans were disappointed in June when the government said a plan to build a Bruce Lee museum in his old house was cancelled after negotiations with the property's current owner broke down.

But Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced in his annual policy address Wednesday that the government would set up a gallery in honour of the artist at the government-run Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

He gave no further details, but fans welcomed the proposal as better than nothing.

"Of course we're still hoping the government could find ways to turn his old home into a museum," Wong Yiu-keung, chairman of the Bruce Lee Fan Club in Hong Kong, told AFP.

Long after Lee's death, his old home was turned into a hotel that was rented for as little as US$25 an hour, usually to amorous couples.

2011-07-30T07:56:00.001Z

Wall Art from PJP Sudios if anyone would like a copy we can be contacted: robin george,
email: robingeorge@hotmail.co.uk

Bruce Lee Pens

2011-01-15T09:43:00.001Z

MONTEGRAPPA PAYS HOMAGE TO THE LEGENDARY BRUCE LEE

--Second Pen in the “Icons” Series Commemorates the 70th Birthday of the Martial Arts Marvel--

LOS ANGELES (January 11, 2011) - Montegrappa, Italy’s most revered manufacturer of fine writing instruments, today announced a second addition to the company’s “Icons” series of writing instruments which pay tribute to cultural giants in which their character and achievements lifted them to global awareness. The newest pen in the series honors legendary martial arts expert and actor, Bruce Lee.

To commemorate the 70th birthday of Bruce Lee, Montegrappa will introduce a re-interpretation of one of the company’s most coveted pens, “The Dragon.” Montegrappa first produced the original “Dragon” 15 years ago in 1,912 pieces to celebrate its founding year. It was produced in black mother-of-pearl celluloid and sterling silver. Only 100 fountain pens were issued in 18K gold. The fountain pen had a piston filling system, and was available with nibs in six widths. These pens can now be found solely – and rarely – in collecting circles.

“The Dragon 2010 Bruce Lee” limited edition series has been distinguished from the 1995 release by a change in the design of the pocket clip, a new color, the detail of the Dragon’s tail on the pen barrel, the fountain pen nib and the top of the cap. The pen also features a body and cap made of red celluloid with black veining, referred to as “cinnamon.” Topping the cap is the immortal yin-yang symbol, representing balance. The cap and the barrel are both embraced by exquisitely carved dragons, their eyes highlighted by rubies on the sterling silver version and by matching precious stones on the fully-encrusted versions. The nib itself features the profile of Bruce Lee in a famous move - foot and fist extended, suspended in air.

Montegrappa will produce a total of 2010 pieces, consisting of the following:

* 888 sterling silver fountain pens
* 888 sterling silver roller balls
* 88 solid yellow gold fountain pens
* 88 solid yellow gold roller balls
* 8 fountain pens in solid yellow gold with black diamonds
* 8 roller balls in solid yellow gold with black diamonds
* 8 fountain pens in solid yellow gold with rubies
* 8 roller balls in solid yellow gold with rubies
* 8 fountain pens in solid yellow gold with emeralds
* 8 roller balls in solid yellow gold with emeralds

Offered in addition to the 2000 individual pens listed above will be 10 ultra-rare, three-piece sets consisting of fountain pen, roller ball and inkwell in solid gold with white diamonds.

“Bruce Lee truly embodies the fascinating and symbolic Dragon figure which Monetgrappa has skillfully interpreted into one of the world’s finest writing instruments. We are pleased to honor Bruce Lee in Montegrappa’s ‘Icons’ series in order to pay tribute to the global influence and acclaimed work of this legendary athlete and actor,” said Giuseppe Aquila, CEO of Montegrappa.

The first pen in the “Icons” series was dedicated to legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali. Prices for “The Dragon 2010 Bruce Lee” limited edition series range from $4,675 to $102,200 with the ultra-rare, three-piece set retailing at $290,550.

About Montegrappa

Since 1912, Montegrappa has been manufacturing high-quality writing instruments in the same historic building in Bassano del Grappa, North East Italy. Please visit www.montegrappa.com to learn more about Montegrappa’s hand-crafted fine pens and authorized U.S. retailer locations.

Giant Bruce Lee statue welcomes kungfu fans

2010-11-26T23:23:00.000Z

Giant Bruce Lee statue welcomes kungfu fans

Would you like to create, and even star in, your own stunt-filled movie sequence?

2010-11-12T16:55:00.001Z

CALLING ALL FILM FANS, DARE DEVILS AND FUTURE MOVIE-STARS…

Would you like to create, and even star in, your own stunt-filled movie sequence? You could be bringing your ideas to life with the help of a Hollywood stunt co-ordinator at a world famous film studio.

From storyboarding to editing, we’ll provide the experts… you provide the talent. Then show off your masterpiece in a red-carpet premiere for your guests.

To find out more please contact contestants@septemberfilms.com ASAP for an application form.

15th November 2010

2010-11-12T08:13:00.004Z

Available to own on DVD

from 15th November 2010

Bruce Lee was the first and the greatest action movie star of them all. This collection documents his amazing life as a Legendary Martial Artist and a movie star plus the man himself told by the people who knew him best of all

Starring Bruce Lee, George Lazenby, Jackie Chan &

Sammo Hung

SYNOPSIS

BRUCE LEE was born in San Francisco on the 27th November 1940- the year of the dragon. His unique combination of East and West lead to a revolution in martial arts and action filmmaking. The three programmes included in this set The Intercepting Fist, Jeet Kune Do and Path of the Dragon, celebrate this legendary master with rare footage of behind the scenes on his movies and training sessions plus extensive interviews with friends, students and co-stars.

DVD DETAILSDVD CONTENTS

Cat no: FHED 2745 Path of the Dragon

Barcode 50306970178757Intercepting Fist

Running time: 401minsJeet Kune Do

Certificate: E

Price: £29.99

Discs: 3

Bruce Lee The Ultimate Collection is distributed by Mediumrare Entertainment and is available from all good DVD retailers from

15th November 2010.

Click here to buy from Amazon

Link to poster

2010-10-12T18:40:00.000Z

http://www.network54.com/Forum/103552/thread/1286898913/last-1286898913/New+Bruce+Lee-Taky+Kimura+Poster+Magazine

New Poster on Bruce

2010-10-12T18:37:00.000Z

New poster magazine out now: "BRUCE LEE FOREVER: Taky Kimura Tribute Special - The Seattle Years and Beyond" ! Price: US$20 plus US$5 in US shipping/postage and US$10 for shippment outside USA. PayPal payment ! Endorsed by the Bruce Lee Foundation !

Ahna Capri dead

2010-08-27T12:39:00.000Z

Ahna Capril was involved in a North Hollywood car accident on August 9th, when her vehicle was struck by a 5-ton truck.

Her injuries left her in a coma and on life support until she passed away on August 19th. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her death.

As far as a biography, here is what we know about Ahna Capri. She is originally from Hungary, having been born there in 1944. Her birth name was Anna Marie Nanasi, which is what she went by until she changed her name to Ahna Capri in the 70’s. She was 65 years of age when she passed. She did not stay long in Budapest, as her family moved to the States when she was a child. By the time she was 11 years old, she was securing roles on popular 50’s sitcoms, ‘The Danny Thomas Show” and ‘Father Knows Best’. She later appeared in two episodes of ‘Leave It Beaver’ and would continue to have bit parts on television, on some classics (which I love!) such as ‘Police Story’, ‘Adam-12′, ‘The Mod Squad’, and ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’, just to name a few.

It wasn’t until 1973 when she was cast as Tania in the Bruce Lee flick, ‘Enter The Dragon’, that her popularity soared. She is best remembered for her role in the martial arts flick. That same year she had a role in the Rip Torn movie ‘Payday’, receiving nice reviews for her part as Mayleen Travis.

Bruce Lee kicks back at the Expo

2010-08-27T12:36:00.001Z

BEIJING, Aug. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Kung fu icon Bruce Lee - a powerful figure in shining red ceramic - stands on one leg and kicks the other explosively, almost vertically into the air, balancing the Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

Forty-nine other bright-red Bruce Lees in identical poses balance landmarks from around the world, such as the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium in Beijing, the Arc de Triomph in Paris, the Sydney Opera House, the post-911 World Trade Center site, the Guggenheim Art Gallery, the British Museum and the Burj Dubai hotel.

The idea is that superhero Lee can lift mighty monuments.

The spectacular kick is called the "Foshan shadowless foot" (Foshan wuyingjiao) because the motion is so fast that it is said to have no shadow. Foshan City in Guangdong Province nurtured Lee and other kung fu masters.

The 50 figures, each around two meters high, are a big draw at the world Expo where they are clustered outside the Pavilion of Future in the Urban Best Practices Area. Visitors can stand next to the master and assume their own poses for photographers.

The statues comprise an art installation, "China Kung Fu," by Shu Yong, the winner of the 2007 Florence Biennale Career Award. It combines sculpture with video and performance art.

All sculptures, and the mini monuments, are made of famous ceramic from Foshan, one of the cradles of Chinese ceramics.

Foshan is also significant because of its kung fu history involving Bruce Lee, Wong Fei-hung and Yip Wen.

The installation was sponsored by 1506 Creative City in Foshan; 1506 refers to the date of the early Foshan kilns.

"Some people challenged me saying that this piece is too aggressive," says Shu. "Those who say that don't have a deep knowledge of Chinese kung fu. Chinese martial arts activate one's inner power through body techniques that harmonize with the outside world.

"The highest level of Chinese kung fu is restrained, self-cultivated and profound rather than arbitrary and aggressive."

The director of 1506 Creative City, Qiu Dalin, says that if visitors don't know the history and background of Foshan, then they cannot truly interpret the sculptures.

"The city is one of the birthplaces of China's ceramics and is also the largest ceramic production area in the world," he said.

Porcelain from Foshan can be seen virtually everywhere in the world.

"But many people don't realize the significance of Foshan. I'm glad this is the first time Foshan ceramics and culture are presented in the spotlight of the World Expo."

Artist Shu Yong says he is connected to Foshan because one of his ceramic works "Flower of Life" was made in Foshan.

"At that time, I searched almost all the kilns in the country but still could not make it. By accident, and with help of Qiu Dalin, I completed the work in Nanfeng Ancient Kiln in Foshan."

He said he began to understand Foshan that once represented a quarter of the world's ceramic production, and he learned its many stories.

So when he thought of a work about Foshan, he thought of Bruce Lee to convey the message.

The task was difficult, involving more than 200 people working for half a year, getting up at 8am and working until 2 or 3am, or even around the clock, said Shu.

"Sometimes I felt like an abusive contractor, but actually I am an artist. Sometimes I felt very confused because I didn't want to be that harsh, but I had to get the work done."

Shu is proud that the statues attract so much attention at the Expo.

"They resonate with the viewers," he said.

"We aim to make exactly 1,506 Bruce Lee sculptures because Nanfang Ancient Kiln in Foshan was built in 1506."

He likes to imagine a touring exhibition of Bruce Lees made in Foshan.

"It would be fascinating to see a cluster of Bruce Lees in front of the White House or the British Museum - both housing Foshan ceramics, a hidden link between these iconic buildings," he said.

Tokyo film showing

2010-08-27T12:34:00.000Z

Bruce Lee's most successful film, Enter the Dragon, and his last film,
Game of Death, as well as Asian films that pay homage to Bruce Lee, who continues to inspire filmmakers around the world more than 30 years after his death.

The 23rd Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) will be held for nine days from 23 to 31 October.

Coming soon the movie: "BRUCE LEE: MY BROTHER'S STORY" by the Lee Family: Robert Lee, Clarence Lee and Phoebe Lee

2010-07-20T20:01:00.002Z

Bruce Lee 20th July 1973 a day never to be forgotten

2010-07-19T21:51:00.000Z

“If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you”

Green Hornet January 2011

2010-07-13T19:59:00.000Z

Next January, the streets will be a little safer from crime because that's when The Green Hornet will strike again! Scheduled to hit theaters on January 14th 2011 in 3D, actor/comedian Seth Rogen will take on the role of Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher who becomes the mysterious Green Hornet and posing as a criminal, secretly fights crime along side his faithful sidekick Kato, played by Taiwanese musician Jay Chou. Rogen, who also wrote the script with his Superbad writing partner Evan Goldberg, stars in the film, which is directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). The movie also boasts an incredible cast that in addition to Rogen and Chou includes Cameron Diaz as Reid's possible love interest Lenore "Casey" Case and Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) as the film's villain Chudnofsky. Of course the movie would not be complete without the hero's famous trademark vehicle, The Black Beauty, a 1966 Chrysler Imperial.

To give you some background on the long history of the character, George W. Trendle and Fran Striker first created "The Green Hornet" for an American radio program in the '1930s. The character would eventually go on to star in his own film serials in the '1940s including '1941s The Green Hornet Strikes Again! starring Warren Hull as the famed hero and actor Keye Luke (Charlie Chan in London) as Kato. While comic books depicting the heroes adventures began printing in the '1940s and are still going strong today it was the '1960s version of the character as played by actor Van Williams on the popular ABC program The Green Hornet that fans remember best. This is partly due to the fact that it was American audiences first chance at seeing martial arts phenomenon Bruce Lee in action as Kato. The show ran as a companion piece to ABC's other hit super-hero series, Batman, which the characters actually made a cameo appearance on once. However despite considerable interest in Lee, the show was canceled after just one season.

Rumors of a big-screen version of the property first circulated in the late '90s with names like George Clooney and Jason Scott Lee (who actually played Bruce Lee in the movie Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story) attached but those plans eventually fell through. Talk of adapting the character began again in 2004 when filmmaker and comic book guru Kevin Smith was announced as the film's writer and director. Smith mentioned names like Jake Gyllenhaal and Jet Li for Reid and Kato, respectively, but eventually the popular filmmaker backed out of the project, instead choosing to publish his script as a graphic novel.

Then, in 2008 Sony Pictures announced that they had secured the rights to the character and were moving forward with a film based on Rogen and Goldberg's script and starring Rogen in the lead role. Hong Kong action/comedy star Stephen Chow was originally planning to direct the film and star as Kato but eventually left due to creative differences, allowing room for Chou and Gondry to enter the project. In fact ironically, Gondry was in talks to direct the film when he first came to Hollywood in the '90s when the project was at Universal. Eventually Diaz signed on as Lenore and Nicolas Cage was in talks to play the film's villain but also backed out at the last minute due to creative differences, which allowed recent Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz to step into the villainous role of Chudnofsky.

While there have been several different variations on the character throughout the years and the different mediums, the film is taking a rather classic origin approach to the material. Last fall we had a rare chance to visit the set of the film in Culver City, CA. and talk to some of the cast and crew about the exciting new project. First up, we met with the film's producer Neal H. Moritz (The Fast and the Furious) who began by giving us a tour of the film's massive set. We started on the Sentinel set, which is the fictional newspaper in the film that Rogen's Reid owns. Just imagine that the Sentinel is to The Green Hornet what the Daily Planet is to Superman. But when we visited the set it was after the crew had shot the film's finale, which takes place in the newspaper building so the set was virtually destroyed and had literally looked like a tornado had ripped through it.

"I just can't believe we destroyed it like this," Moritz explained. "Ultimately, in the third act it becomes the main set piece. There's an incredible car chase that goes through the office of the newspaper. Brit Reed and Kato are trying to download something. Brit has no idea how to download. The Black Beauty comes screeching across this big marble lobby and the bad guys are pursuing them. They run straight into a glass elevator. Half the car is in half the car is out. The elevator starts going up and it hits the third floor. The car literally gets cut in half. They crash through the entire Sentinel media being pursued by the bad guys to try to get into Brit Reed's office." "None of this was set dressing," the producer went on to explain. "All of this was done for real. The half car, which we built, came through here at an incredible speed and just took all this stuff out. We shot off real missiles."

We then went to a set that was built on a separate stage but would eventually represent a printing press inside the Sentinel. On top on of the press was The Black Beauty, riddled with bullet holes and Moritz explained the sequence and how they shot it. "We have this whole martial arts sequence that takes place on the top of this. In reality, this printing press is probably double the height of what exists. We shot a lot of that at the LA Times printing press. We built this and the paper in here actually moves. Our guys will actually fall through the paper while it's moving. Then it breaks and papers are falling all over the place while this fight is occurring. It's a very difficult thing to do, to have the real place where we're shooting it, shooting it here up high and then putting our actors in it as well. So we shoot a lot of it second unit and then out first unit comes in. Coordinating all of it together is very difficult."

Moritz explained that twenty-five Black Beauty's were made for the film and about twenty-three of them had been destroyed. "We took the original from the show which is the 66' Chrysler Imperial. We have kept the look, but have updated it technological wise," Moritz said. The producer went on to explain Gondry's unique contributions to the film. "The lights that Michel Gondry designed are incredible. These things actually kind of cause you to faint because of the way they shoot spiral. Honestly, it really does do this to you. We put in the most powerful bulbs that you could ever find. During this whole chase we follow the headlights quite a bit. It's just a really unique look. The look of the movie is probably very different than from what people will expect. Obviously when we hired Michel to do this movie, it wasn't the most obvious choice but I think that's what is lending really a freshness to this genre." He continued to discuss what makes this super-hero film different from others. "The key to The Green Hornet is he comes up with the idea that instead of being a good guy pretending to be a good guy, he's going to be a good guy pretending to be a villain."

Moritz finished up our tour in Kato's workshop, which seems like it acts as The Green Hornet's "Batcave" in the film. The producer explained that this set is where the characters of Britt and Kato first meet in the film and he went on to describe a bit of the scene. "The day after his father dies every morning there's a cup of coffee delivered to Britt Reid next to his bed. Every morning that is the thing he looks forward to the most. He doesn't have that much going on in his life and he really looks forward to that cup of coffee. The day after his father dies he wakes up. He goes to drink the coffee and it's the worst coffee he's ever tasted. He can't believe on the worst day of his life, his father's death somebody made (that coffee). So he marches across this huge lawn into the big mansion and starts screaming at everyone. What he learns is that he himself has fired everyone who has worked for his father and that's why his coffee isn't there. He tracks down this Kato character. Kato makes him this cup of coffee and he says 'Kato tell me your story.' That's how their relationship starts. What he finds from there is that Kato is an expert at working on his father's cars and was never appreciate by his father just like Britt felt he was never appreciated by his father either so this becomes his workshop where he takes his father's favorite car and turns it into the Black Beauty."
After that, we had a chance to check out what they were filming on set. On this day they were shooting in the living room of Britt's house and filming an early fight scene between Kato and Britt. We watch the two actors as they have a few words for each other before Chou serves a kick right to Rogen's midsection and then we watch his stunt-double go flying into the next room. We had a chance to speak with Rogen between takes and asked the actor if after talking about this project for so many years, if he is excited to finally be making it? "It's unbelievable, it's really exciting. It's been really fulfilling. I can't believe we got to do it. We got to make the exact movie we wanted to make. We got Gondry as the director, we got the cast that we never would've dreamed of, it's one of those things where it's almost like every time we had a set back, something much better ultimately would arise. We're in a really good position now. We're really all extremely happy and everyone's getting along, which is great. We feel like we've really accomplished something because so many people said we never would do it, more than anything."

The actor spoke about Stephen Chow dropping out of the project and how the chemistry between he and Chou is different than it would have been if Chow took the role. "Yeah, it's a lot different. It's fine. We say that constantly. We wrote a lot of different versions of the movie depending on different cast members and directors, things of that nature and me and Evan were just talking the other day about how happy we are that it turned out like this. We think that the dynamic between me and Jay Chou, you know, being around the same age we seem like peers, so you see where we start becoming super heroes. There's like a real youthful exuberance to it. I think the fact that we're around the same age makes my treatment towards him and his attitude towards me much funnier than it would be if he was way older and I was way younger for example, I think it plays a lot more like a natural dynamic that people know in their day-to-day lives than kind of this older guy younger guy thing. It was an odder dynamic that way so it worked out a lot better this way."

Rogen went on to talk about Chou and why they thought he would be perfect for the role of Kato. "He's just unbelievably cool. I mean, he's like Steve McQueen kind of. It's like everything he does he does super cool. And he's funny. That's the other thing. What's funny is we actually auditioned for the first time with each other over Skype and I think he was in Taiwan and we were in L.A. and it was very awkward and the timing was off and there was a delay, but it was funny. He was just funny you could tell. We flew him here and we auditioned together and he just was super cool. He was everything I'm not and it was very clear that, and it plays in the joke that he should not be the sidekick. Like it's cool, it's clear when you put the two of us together that he is the leader. Like he is the leader. He is cooler, he is smarter, he is much more physically adept than I am and it played into the whole joke that we have for the movie, basically, that he shouldn't be the sidekick, you know?"

While the bulk of the original source material is set in the '50s and '60s, this film will be set in present day and Rogen defended that choice. "We knew we'd get one shot to make our version of a super hero movie, and to us, it just needed to be as relatable to our experience as possible. We don't know anything about the past, really. We knew a lot about present day so, we thought in order to not divert an effort that could be used to writing a good story and jokes into researching what it was like in 1960, we just decided to set it now. This is what we know and we feel like it's already a modern story. Our approach to it could probably not really logically occur in the '60s, I would imagine."

Fans of The Green Hornet character are aware that the fictionally he is a descendant of another super-hero, The Lone Ranger, however since the film rights to that character are owned by another studio, there was some question if that would be included in the film or not. When looking around on the set of Britt's house, we noticed a Lone Ranger poster hidden in the corner along with several Lone Ranger comics, so we asked Rogen if the rights had been cleared to include the character in the film. "Boom. Lone Ranger. We got one from prop clearance. They got it in. I mean we honestly, it's one of those things where we weren't sure who owned it. Someone heard Disney owned the rights to it or something like that, but the way these things get compartmentalized, you know, that (poster is from) the comic book and someone else owns the rights to that. So we were able to get that in. We got it in there. It's a nod. A subtle nod."

The actor discussed the film's approach on reintroducing the character to the world, "Yeah, we approach it as an origin story. When you find me, I'm in no way the type of person that would ever care to stop a crime or be equipped to stop a crime. We really wanted to chart in a way, the evolution of just your normal everyday dude into what the world views as a super hero. If we could make that a logical and enjoyable journey to watch, then that to us was really interesting." We asked Rogen if he had had a chance to speak with the character's creator George W. Trendle? "We did talk to, never him specifically, but some of his family and the Trendle's were here. They're extras in one of the scenes actually. So yeah, we were able to talk to them a little bit about it, about the movie, their expectations, desires, and our kind of questions as to how it all came into being in the first place. It was pretty interesting."

Rogen continued by discussing working with his co-star Cameron Diaz and her role in the film. "She's great. She plays Lenore Chase who is Brit Reed's secretary. Her role throughout the movie has a very distinct evolution that I probably shouldn't ruin here and now, but she's fantastic. She's a true delight to work with. She's really funny. She's just great, we couldn't believe we got her to be in the movie. It was a real pleasure every day. It was surreal. It's one of those things that's crazy too ... I'm talking to Cameron Diaz right now?"
Moritz had mentioned to us that actor Nicolas Cage was originally in talks to play the role of the film's villain but had to step down due to creative differences and the producer revealed that those differences involved Cage's determination to play the role as a Jamaican or Bahaman gangster. We asked Rogen about Christoph Waltz stepping into the role and the actor talked about revising the part for him. "When he came on, it was at a very open place, the character. We had kind of been formulating a version of it that we were not entirely pleased with. So when that dissolved ultimately, we saw it as a real opportunity to kind of get back to a version of the character that we were more interested in all along. Which was definitively not from the Bahamas or any Bahamian region. Then we start talking to Christoph and we were giving him what we initially liked, the idea, the whole take of the character we initially liked, and he really, thank God, liked that idea also."

"But then as far as the specifics of how the character spoke went, there were actually a lot of different versions of that because we had been through so many different versions,' Rogen continued. "We just had Jamaican-ized the script, then de-Jamaican-ized it, so that was a whole process. There were a few, key little speeches that Christoph liked and had said, 'This is what I really like, this type of language I think would be great to carry throughout the whole character.' Largely through the course of a day, Evan and him sat down and rewrote almost every scene that he has in the whole movie. Throughout the different scenes, as the shooting comes up, we re-approach it. We talk about it and new little quirks come up as we were filming. Christoph likes to include some of those, and we're very open to it. He had a very strong take of what he liked that we had done and we wanted to provide him all the tools to create the best character that he could with that. So it's really exciting to watch and he seems to be enjoying it. It's always great when you can collaborate with someone who is open in the same way you are. He's written a lot of stuff that I'm very happy I'll get credit for, ultimately."

While the movie is a deconstruction of the modern super-hero film it has one element that most adaptations have not been able to introduce successfully, the sidekick. "It's so hard now to do straight I would imagine, no pun intended, but I think that is because anyone that's seen Batman & Robin can tell you firsthand it's inherently a funny dynamic," explained the actor. "I mean, it's weird, just the term sidekick is ridiculous. The fact that they're a team but one guy is inherently above the other guy is ridiculous. I think the fact that Evan and I are part of a ripening partnership is part of the reason we were able to explore that idea because we know inherently you can't be partners if one guy is above the other guy. So I would imagine that that's why it hasn't been done because no one has done this tonal approach to one of these movies. I imagine it'd be hard to really accurately explore their relationship without it getting somewhat funny because the most realistic version of that is funny."

Rogen continued to discuss the hero/sidekick relationship and how it applies to Britt and Kato in the film. "To us, it was always The Green Hornet. That was what we were trying to emulate in a lot of ways. We watched the show as we were preparing to pitch the thing and it was like, you didn't need to try to base it on anything, it was based on The Green Hornet relationship. It was based on the Kato/Britt relationship, the hero/sidekick relationship. I mean, I think with Pineapple Express for example, we did look at more of these 80's action movies and tried to play into that. But for this it was all very inherent in the source material and in pretty much every hero/sidekick relationship in every comic book basically. So that, if anything, is what we talked about. We looked at all these hero/sidekick relationships, how they play out and how you expect them to play out, which is so just ridiculous."

Finally, the actor revealed that while doing research for the script they noticed something very important about the character that Jay Chou plays. "Kato doesn't have an alter-ego name, he's just Kato. I mean, it's so ridiculous," joked Rogen. "Like they didn't even give him a name? He doesn't have a name? He never calls him anything. He doesn't introduce him to people. It's not like this is Kato, also known as Kato." Rogen continued by discussing the relationship between Kato and Reid further. "It doesn't even seem weird because it's the hero/sidekick relationship that the alter ego has this manservant. It's just how it is but when we really started to think about it we thought, how would you actually feel in that circumstance if you were both of these guys, you know? How would that play out in the middle of this really stressful situation of trying to be a superhero? That's what really just seemed endlessly entertaining to us and that aspect of it was not difficult to write."

Be sure to check back with us later this week for part two of our visit to The Green Hornet set where we spoke with director Michel Gondry, the film's villain, Oscar winner Christoph Waltz, and even had an opportunity to watch a few clips from the film and take a ride through the streets of Los Angeles in The Black Beauty!

The Green Hornet comes to theaters January 14th, 2011 and stars Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz, Seth Rogen, Edward Furlong, Edward James Olmos, Tom Wilkinson, Jay Chou, Sterling Cooper. The film is directed by Michel Gondry.

Bruce Lee to be portrayed by Hong Kong singer Aarif Lee in biopic

2010-07-12T17:43:00.001Z

One of the most iconic figures in international film will be portrayed by a Hong Kong singer.

Aarif Lee will portray legendary martial artist and movie star Bruce Lee in Bruce Lee: My Brother's Story.

The 23-year-old Aarif Lee (who is unrelated to Bruce Lee) is reported to be a physics major at London's Imperial College. He released his debut album in 2009, and he appeared in his first film, Echoes of the Rainbow, earlier this year. The film won a Crystal Bear award (a first for Hong Kong) at the Berlin Film Festival. It also won in several categories at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards, including best new performer for Aarif.

The Bruce Lee biopic, which will focus on his life prior to shooting to fame, will start shooting in June, with funding from Hong Kong and mainland China studios.

ENTERBAY

2010-07-12T17:39:00.000Z

HD Masterpiece is ENTERBAY 1:4 figure series. As the brand name HD – High definition represents the superlative craftsmanship and perfectly carved head sculpt.

With the extraordinary craftsmanship of ENTERBAY production team, this product has been given the name to represent HD reproduction with its signature moves of Bruce Lee in the film of .

This product is the perfectly represent Bruce Lee’s signature's move in the film "Enter the Dragon". This product uses the improved coloring method to make results better.

This is a classic battle damaged version, the face and abdomen wounds with blood effect were based on the make-up effects in the original movie.
Product Number: ENB10033
Shipping Weight: 28.00 pounds

Click here for images

Bruce Lee's last costume from Game of Death strikes back at auction

2010-07-11T08:12:00.002Z

Bruce Lee's last costume from Game of Death strikes back at auction

The iconic martial artist's incomplete last film was intended to present Jeet Kune Do to the public

In 1973, martial artist Bruce Lee launched himself into the American psyche with the force of one of his flying kicks as Enter the Dragon was released. Three days later Lee was dead, due to swelling on the brain.

Enter the Dragon was the last film that Lee finished, but it was not the last one he began. In fact, work began on Game of Death - a film in which the star intended to demonstrate his own martial art Jeet Kune Do ('the way of the intercepting fist') - before Enter the Dragon was offered.

The latter movie, which was the first kung fu film produced by a Hollywood studio, and with a much bigger budget than Lee was used to, could not be turned down. Nevertheless, 100 minutes of Game of Death were filmed before Enter the Dragon was released.

As for Game of Death, it was only released in 1978 with a plotline altered to allow it to be completed using footage from other kung fu stars and stunt doubles with the main character's change in appearance explained away.

Despite its changes from the original project it remains a cult classic and the yellow jumpsuit which Lee wears is referenced in the costume of Uma Thurman's character The Bride/Black Mamba in Kill Bill.

Now the original jumpsuit worn by Lee is heading Heritage Auctions sale of Entertainment Memorabilia on July 17 with a relatively modest estimate of $60,000. The live sale takes place in California and internet absentee bidding is accepted until the day before.

Collectors interested in Bruce Lee memorabilia will be interested to know that there is another very rare and high quality piece on the market at the moment: an autographed notebook for an intended book entitled 'The Tao of Chinese Gung Fu' including original martial art drawings.

"Bruce Lee: My Brother's Story"

2010-07-11T08:10:00.001Z

Filmmakers cast Hong Kong singer as Bruce Lee

HONG KONG — Filmmakers have cast a rising star from Hong Kong to play Bruce Lee in an upcoming biopic that focuses on the late kung fu icon's youth.

Aarif Lee rose to fame by playing a high school track star in the recent hit "Echoes of the Rainbow," a nostalgic look at 1960s Hong Kong. The 23-year-old was a physics major at London's Imperial College.

The actor bowed to a statue of Bruce Lee on Hong Kong's waterfront at a press conference Monday. He said he was preparing by watching Lee's films and practicing the wing chun fighting style he learned as a teenager in Hong Kong.

"Bruce Lee: My Brother's Story" is funded by a consortium of studios from Hong Kong and mainland China. It will start shooting in June.

2010-05-16T15:52:00.000Z

This art work is by Jordan Smith, whi is 17 and from derby in england he was just experimenting. His guitar is a fender mexican telecaster, he has had it bout 1 1/2 years and bought a new scratchplate for it and decided to experiment by painting some designs on the old one. painted the image from the cover of game of death in black and white, and it looked pretty good and professional. Cool work.

Wax Bruce Lee

2010-02-13T08:17:00.003Z

Ideas for Bruce Lee's house go on show

2010-01-24T16:51:00.001Z

Ideas for Bruce Lee's house go on show
*
Results of Bruce Lee's Residence Ideas Competition announced
Creative ideas: Rita Lau inspects the winning entries in the ideas competition for the revamp of Bruce Lee's former house .
*

The results of the ideas competition for the revamp of Bruce Lee's former house have been announced and the entries are being exhibited at City Hall until February 4.

Officiating the prize-giving ceremony today was Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau who was impressed by the creative entries.

She said the competition, which attracted more than 140 entries from around the world, will take forward the house's restoration project, adding the Government will continue to gather information and source exhibits from various channels, including the late kung-fu star's family and friends, to make the venue a real showcase of his life.

The Tourism Commission will further discuss with the house owner, Yu Pang-lin, various issues regarding the project.

The exhibition of the competition entries will move to the Cultural Centre from February 9 to 16, then to Sha Tin Town Hall February 23 to March 6.

2010-01-15T21:01:00.001Z

Diana Lee Inosanto's movie The Sensei will be released on DVD on 9th. of March

but it is avaliable for preorder through her husband's web site and will be sent out in mid February for US$9.99 plus postage

www.ronbalicki.com

"Ron Balicki Diana and my movie, "The Sensei" is coming out March 9th. If you would like to pre order a copy and get it a little sooner and cheaper go to my website www.ronbalicki.com. You can order it there. You should have it by mid February."

Thanks to

Peer Hesstvedt from Norway.

Bruce Lee

2009-12-31T08:01:00.000Z

Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves." - Bruce Lee

Like Lee's philosophy suggests, instead of being assertive and taking such a firm stance on Mayweather's request, Pacquiao should simply smile and take the tests head on. When the results prove what Pacquiao aleady knows, that he's never used performance-enhancing drugs, then Mayweather will really have something to worry about. If Pacquiao would just satisfy the paranoia of the undefeated multi-division champion by simply taking the tests, come March 13th, Mayweather will know without a shadow of a doubt that he's stepping into the ring with perhaps the fastest, strongest and most dangerous opponent to ever threaten his flawless record.

"A good Jeet Kune Do man does not oppose force or give way completely. He is pliable as a spring; he is the complement and not the opposition to his opponent's strength. He has no technique; he makes his opponent's technique his technique. He has no design; he makes opportunity his design." - Bruce Lee

Again, like Bruce Lee's philosophy suggests, Pacquiao should use Mayweather's request for random blood testing to his advantage. Instead of viewing it as an insult or an allegation, take it as a compliment. After all, Mayweather always likes to remind us that, "I normally beat guys with my C game and I don't have to pull my A or B game out." Of all the top fighters that he's ever faced, not once was he ever as concerned about an opponent like he is now. In 2001, Mayweather wasn't worried at all about then-undefeated knockout artist Diego Corrales. The following year, he showed even less concern when he moved up in weight to face the relentless workrate and pressure of Jose Luis Castillo. As his success against top fighters continued, so did his confidence and his disregard for opponents wouldn't stop there. Arturo Gatti? A mere "punching bag." Zab Judah? "Easy work!" Oscar De La Hoya? "A chiken!" Ricky Hatton? "Garbage" and "nothing but a fat man." Marquez? "A tune-up!" My friends, the mere fact that Mayweather is requesting random blood testing is a testament to Manny Pacquiao's skills and how big of a risk Mayweather truly views him to be. Instead of Mayweather brushing him off as "easy work" or just another "tune-up", he's seen Pacquiao's recent performances and views him as a serious threat, hence the reason for requesting the random blood tests to begin with.

Just for the record, I don't know if Manny Pacquiao is taking performance-enhancing drugs or not, but I certainly don't have a problem with someone who might have that opinion...just as I don't have a problem with someone who believes Margarito is a cheater (although he gives us his word that he didn't know anything about the wraps), Serena Williams is a man or Lady Gaga is a hermaphrodite. Everyone, and I mean everyone, is entitled to their opinion. Now, how you react to that opinion is totally up to you. In essence, Manny Pacquiao has looked so good to Team Mayweater that they have the opinion there's a possibility he may be using performance-enhancing drugs. Instead of getting mad, Pacquiao should have just smiled and said, "Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed my performances." Sometimes, being too defensive can give the appearance that you're trying to hide something and, whether that's accurate or not, that's not a good thing.

Look, I don't doubt that Manny Pacquiao believes that having blood drawn close to a fight might weaken him. Like I said, that's his opinion and he's certainly entitled it. That being said, I'd hate to know his frame of mind should he get cut in the first round of a fight. Will the loss of blood during the fight weaken him as the rounds go by? That's hard to say, but certainly, there's got to be a middle ground when it comes to Pacquiao's superstition and Mayweather paranoia. As Bruce Lee once said, take things as they are; punch when you have to punch, kick when you have to kick and by all means, give blood when you have to give blood. As a man who strived for perfection, it's something that Bruce Lee would have done just to shut the mouths of his accusers. Hopefully, Manny Pacquiao will follow the philosophies of his idol and do the same.

BRUCE LEE: CONVERSATIONS

2009-11-28T13:45:00.000Z

PRESS RELEASE

Bruce Lee did more than anybody to bring the martial arts to the mainstream and influenced millions of people around the globe to take up martial arts. Lee's legacy continues to grow although he has been dead for more than 35 years. The late martial arts master had an indelible impact on professional athletes and fighters, he influenced many legendary boxing champions, IFBB Professioanl bodybuilders and countless MMA fighters we all admire today.

In a new book BRUCE LEE: CONVERSATIONS some of the MMA legends talk about just how much of an impact Lee had on the the world and them. With exclusive interviews with Hall of Famer Randy Couture to the charsimatic Tito Ortiz to the creator of the UFC Rorion Gracie. Lee's innovative approach to martial arts paved the way to cultivate a system which had no boundaries. In the words of the elite MMA fighters "he was the first MMA pioneer".

BRUCE LEE: CONVERSATIONS is now available from bookstores priced at £14.95 and from the Amazon Web Site

Kung Fu grandmaster visits

2009-09-26T17:34:00.001Z

One of the top masters of a martial art practised by Bruce Lee will be in Swansea on October 3.

Samuel Kwok, a grandmaster in Wing Chun Kung Fu, will be at Swansea Met to give a master class with students and members of the public.

Sifu Michael Arnold, from Wales Wing Chun, said: "It is a rare privilege and treat to have Grandmaster Kwok here."

Backround shooting of Bruce Lee series from China

2009-05-29T09:02:00.001Z

Ip Man 2?

2009-04-09T08:14:00.001Z

THE commercial success of "Ip Man" - about the kung fu mentor of Bruce Lee - has prompted its producers to shoot a sequel, "Ip Man 2," but Lee won't appear until "Ip Man 3."

Shooting will begin in August in suburban Songjiang District.

The biopic-action film "Ip Man" about Yip Man, a master of Wing Chun kung fu, took 120 million yuan (US$17.7 million) in Chinese mainland box offices and 25 million yuan in Hong Kong.

Kung fu Lee, who later went on to develop his own style of martial arts, became an apprentice of Yip in the 1960s. His character hasn't yet appeared in his master's story.

"Bruce Lee might not be appearing in the immediate sequel, or at least not until the third movie," director Wong says. "The script hasn't yet reached Lee's part as Lee became Yip's apprentice in the 1960s."

The film by Wilson Yip has received 12 nominations for the upcoming 28th annual Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor. The awards ceremony will be held on April 19.

"It's quite a good showing for a kung fu category film," says producer Raymond Wong. "There are many stories about the martial arts master so we don't want the film to end."

The sequel budgeted at 100 million yuan will start shooting in suburban Songjiang District, where much of "Ip Man" was filmed.

Preparations for "Ip Man 2" are going well. Director Yip and Wong's son, Edmond Wong, the scriptwriter, have been to Foshan, Guangdong Province, to gather more information about Yip.

"Ip Man" centers on Yip's efforts to unite Chinese people when Foshan fell to the Japanese invaders during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

The sequel focuses on Yip's life in Hong Kong after 1949; how he opened his first Wing Chun martial arts school, becoming a respected kung fu master.

"Ip Man" may be a turning point in actor Donnie Yen's career. Yen's vivid portrayal of the character demonstrated that he is more than an action star.

"I really didn't expect to get my first Hong Kong Film Awards nomination," says Yen. "Now I can proudly say the movie is my representative work. The role lets me explore my acting potential."

In "Ip Man 2," Yen will be pitted in battle against veteran actor Sammo Hung, the film's deputy director and action choreographer.

However, "Ip Man" isn't the only film about the martial arts master.

Award-winning Hong Kong film maker Wong Kar-wai ("In the Mood for Love," "2046") is making his version of Yip, "The Great Master," starring Tony Leung, Gong Li and Chang Chen. And a 40-episode TV series about Yip will begin shooting in September.

Both directors Wong and Yip are pleased their film has raised public awareness of the master.

"'Ip Man' has now become a film brand," director Yip says. "It's wonderful for Wong and other film makers with different styles to shoot it. We are eager to see more pictures about the great man."

breakersrevenge: Who needs an guard dog or house alarm when. . . .

2009-03-29T13:18:00.000Z

breakersrevenge: Who needs an guard dog or house alarm when. . . .

Hong Kong to open design competition.

2009-03-29T08:18:00.001Z

Hong Kong will hold an open design competition to set the blueprint for restoring the late Kongfu star Bruce Lee's former residence in the city, a spokesman of the Hong Kong government confirmed on Friday.

A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau on Friday said, Rita Lau, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong met with the residence's owner Yu Pang-lin again on Friday to exchange views on the arrangements for restoring the former residence of Bruce Lee and reached consensus on some issues.

The two sides agreed that an open design competition will be held and the best design will be used as the blueprint for restoring the property. The competition would allow the incorporation of suitable design elements to maximize the use of space when restoring the property to its original appearance. It would also provide an opportunity for the public to take part in the project.

Yu will appoint a surveyor's firm to take charge of the design competition, including setting up an adjudication committee and drawing up the selection criteria.

Yu will take up the chairmanship of the adjudication committee. He will also invite representatives from the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and Hong Kong Institute of Planners to participate and provide assistance.

C0pyright China News

Iron Man vs Bruce Lee

2009-03-24T21:19:00.002Z

Iron Man’s Latest Villain Revealed To Be… Bruce Lee?!

Posted using ShareThis

Bruce Lee movies on line

2009-03-06T07:31:00.001Z

Watch Kung Fu movies on line at KFMOL

Good site for Bruce Lee lookalikes and some different films after Bruce Lee death.

Join the Bruce Lee club

2009-03-06T07:25:00.002Z

Join the Bruce Lee UK club today. Life time membership for only £25.

What you get.

Free DVD, poster, membership card, certificate, Bruce Lee book, postcard set.....

email us for details.

BLUK

New web site for fans

2009-02-28T08:23:00.001Z

Kareem and Bruce Lee

2009-02-14T07:53:00.001Z

The footage, from Game of Death, gives a great illustration both of the kind of athlete Kareem was, and also the size of his world view. A couple years back, when Andy sat down with Kareem, the Cap talked about his relationship with the late martial arts icon:

AK: Did your friendship and training with Bruce Lee help you with your approach to basketball, either mentally or physically?

KAJ: Oh, definitely. Bruce, more or less, backed up what I had learned from John Wooden. The whole thing about being prepared and understanding your own skills. What you have to offer and what you don't have to offer. Channeling to your approach to everything specific. It was just an echo of John Wooden, from Hong Kong as opposed to Indiana. You have to be committed. You have to be prepared. You have to be willing to sacrifice to be totally prepared. To be in shape and understand the nature of competition. And he wanted to do that.

AK: How did you guys meet?

KAJ: I studied a little martial arts between my sophomore and junior years in New York. And when I came back out to L.A., I wanted to continue my studies. So I went to a gentleman that was publishing a martial arts magazine and I said, "Where can I go to study? I'm out there at UCLA." And he said, "Bruce Lee lives out there." And I was a little put off, because I had started the aikido, which is the Japanese style. And Bruce did Chinese style, so I was gonna have to start over. But he said, "No, no. Bruce is really unique, because it's an eclectic style. You should go have a talk with him." I called him and he invited me over to his house. We talked and immediately got be friends. And he liked the fact that I was a trained athlete coming through the door. It wasn't like I had to get in shape. And I was easily won over by the logic and approach to his style. We were friends from that day on.

UK documentary

2009-02-12T14:47:00.000Z

I am currently working on a new Bruce Lee documentary for UK television.
The series is based on four one hour episodes:
Chinese Cinema and early life.
Pre-fame in USA.
Green Hornet - Enter The Dragon.
Bruce Lee's death and cinema legacy.
This will be the first Bruce Lee documentary to be made and broadcast in HD (and hopefully future Blu-ray release).
I have already made a rough cut made from clips bought from e-bay DVD's and from other internet sources (such as Youtube)– the problem is that many of these clips are too poor to be
broadcast.
Would it be possible for you guys to help me track down better (higher quality copies) of these clips?
I am especially interested in anything 'new' such as the colour (or B&W) version of 'The Orphan', the rumoured ‘Big Boss – The Version You’ve Never Seen Before’,'Game Of Death - lost 20 minute reel' and any other rare clips not generally available to the public at large.
(A later spin-off would be to recreate the ultimate 'Game Of Death' HD version - but that is another story).
We have already contacted CBS re:‘Blondie’ episode ‘Pick On Someone Your Own Size’, and may be able to track down a primitive (1964 SONY CV-2000) home recording using 1/2" reel-to-reel tape.
All acknowledgements and rights will be acknowledged:
I can be contacted at:
johnstuart001@yahoo.co.uk
and you can find out more about me by looking up my contributions to the 'Queen' world at www.queenzone.com
John S. Stuart.

Bruce Lee Cinemaquette

2009-02-11T08:39:00.000Z

This is your exclusive first look at the full body studio photo of the Bruce Lee Cinemaquette due up in the next few months.
Debuting at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con by Toynami, this 24″ representation of one of the greatest and most inspirational Asian celebrities has finally been done real justice in the Cinemaquette form.
This won’t be cheap, most Cinemquette’s run in the US$2000 range and are limited to only 1000 pieces worldwide, luckily they have an Asian distributor based in Hong Kong and you can email them now to get your name on a waiting list.
http://www.neonpunch.com/exclusive-bruce-lee-cinemaquette/

British-born Indian actor Dev Patel

2009-02-10T14:09:00.000Z

British-born Indian actor Dev Patel, who hit the limelight with his big-screen
debut performance in Danny Boyel's "Slumdog Millionaire", aims to become Britain's Bruce Lee by starring in martial art movies.
The 18-year-old, nominated for Best Actor at BAFTA, holds a black belt in tae-kwon-do and plans to use his skills to further his movie career, reports mirror.co.uk. "One of my favourite films is 'Enter The Dragon'. I love Bruce Lee. I would love to do a martial arts film. That would be wicked," he said.

Help Needed?

2009-01-13T20:38:00.000Z

Brand New TV Series Seeks Ultimate Fans.....
Are you mad for memorabilia, collectables & iconic merchandise? Has your passion for possessions taken over your home & your life? Has your loved one been driven to distraction and do you feel like now may be the time to take stock of your hoard & refine your collection.

If this sounds like you, your partner, a member of your family or friend, then Twofour Broadcast is looking for you to take part in a brand new television series.

Give the team a call on
0870 062 5090
or email contact@twofour.co.uk

2009-01-12T07:42:00.002Z

The property in Hong Kong where actor Bruce Lee lived for many years is to be re-developed from a seedy love hotel into a tourist destination commemorating the late kung fu legend.

The current owner, millionaire Yu Panglin, had wanted to sell the two storey house in Kowloon Tong. Now he has agreed a conservation plan with the government.

The plans will see the floor area of the property extended and it will be turned into a large museum complex with a cinema, library and martial arts centre. His popular films such as Big Boss and Fist of Fury will be shown in the cinema.

'We have had a meeting with lee's daughter and she has agreed to help us restore the mansion to its former shape,' said Michel Choi, Yu's assistant.

Lee's family has also agreed to donate some of his personal items to the museum including his movie costumes.

Under the plan the property will be donated to the government which will run it as a major tourist attraction.

'The government takes the view that the development should focus on enabling Bruce Lee fans to commemorate the achievements and understand the life of their idol through visiting the residence, and revitalising the building for long-term sustainable operation as a tourism attraction,' said Rita Lau, secretary for commerce and economic development.

Yu, who bought the property for 850,000 Hong Kong dollars in the 1960s, decided not to sell after fans from around the world called for the house to be preserved. It is now thought to be worth 100 million Hong Kong dollars.

New DVD

2009-01-12T07:34:00.000Z

After the untimely death of Bruce Lee, dozens of "Bruceploitation" films emerged to meet the demand of his fans who wanted to see something on their beloved hero. Bruce Lee clones emerged to fill the void and make some of the most intriguing and odd movies about Bruce Lee.

Bruce Lee: Dragon Immortal, a three-disc, 10-film DVD set, commemorates the 35th anniversary of the untimely death of martial arts master Bruce Lee by compiling some of the best and most interesting of those films in a single package. From the biographical "Bruce Lee's Deadly Kung Fu," where he goes up against the mafia and the animated Chinese gods to eventually come back in an cartoon form, to the "Clones of Bruce Lee," where he is revived three times, this DVD set delivers the full impact of the Dragon Immortal experience.

Great article from Peer in Norway enjoy......

2009-01-09T19:41:00.002Z

Read this great article from Peer in Norway.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1870589,00.html

Rare Game Of Death Image

2009-01-06T17:56:00.001Z

New Bruce Lee Social Network Site

2008-11-28T10:51:00.003Z

I have added a new social network site to the left hand column of the main page. Please join.

Nokia N96 Bruce Lee limited edition phone

2008-11-23T09:40:00.001Z

Technology giant Nokia has launched the special edition of ‘Nokia N96’, which has Bruce Lee’s image on the phone, in Hong Kong.

The Nokia N96 Bruce Lee limited edition phone features Bruce Lee’s face, signature on the back panel, and is also comes packed with rare pics of the ace martial artist and actor.

Moreover, the phone also comes packed with several accessories including a Bruce Lee doll and a nunchaku.

Nokia N96, which was recently launched, offers a memory size of 16GB, which can be increased to 24GB with an optional microSD card, permitting users to store hours of media and entertainment on the go.

The dual-side N96, which sports a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED Flash, is a perfect of style and advanced technology and represents a complete new chapter in mobile technology. It is best optimized for superb web and entertainment.

The N96 can store up to 18,000 songs, around 20,000 effigies at 5 mega pixel, upto 60 hours of video or full length movies. With multifunctional media keys and a 2.8” screen, music, movies and games and will be available at the touch of a button.

The phone also packs in turn-by-turn voice navigation with geotagging and N-Gage gaming back up with Ovi to share up images online.

Other amazing features of the phone include built-in 3D stereo speakers, MPEG-4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video. Moreover, it is also compatible with USB 2.0 connection, WLAN and 3G HSDPA support. The phone comes along with a Bluetooth headset and a special wrist- band.

The original Nokia N96 is available at a price of about $840, but this ‘Bruce Lee Edition Nokia N96’ is priced little higher for about $1,300.

Enjoy

2008-11-22T10:24:00.000Z

Tony Leung is all fight these days as he gets ready for his role as Bruce Lee’s teacher.

2008-11-16T09:25:00.001Z

HONG Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai may have just gotten married, but instead of basking in newly-wedded bliss, his recent preoccupation has been with fighting.

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

At a press conference with some 300 Chinese and Asia-Pacific media members to launch Montblanc’s latest luxury chronograph watch on Nov 7, the multi-award-winning actor said he has been pulling eight-hour days working out for his role as Bruce Lee’s martial arts teacher.

Grandmaster Yip Man popularised the Wing Chun style of gongfu, and his biopic by director Wong Kar Wai will begin filming next autumn.

Leung, 46, added in Mandarin: “Making an action film requires you to have a certain physique, so I have to at least convince myself that I am a very good fighter.”

Asked why pre-production for the film has dragged on for about six years, the actor, who is Wong’s favourite leading man and firm friend, said: “Each time we wanted to start doing it, I was committed to another role. But now, I’ve stopped taking on new films, turning down some 10 projects. I want to concentrate on this.”Looking dapper in a black leather jacket-and-tie ensemble, he answered previously screened questions posed by an emcee onstage with his usual quiet serenity.

But Hong Kong’s tabloid writers perked up when the actor stated innocuously that he was planning to go on a ski holiday with friends later this year.

Scribes later interpreted this as a sign that his actress wife Carina Lau was not pregnant as previously rumoured.

The self-confessed perfectionist modestly said he does not feel he has made any masterpieces in his career.

However, he does not mind being a producer of or endorsing works by young, emerging talent.

But there is a caveat.

“Being an actor takes a lifetime. You can’t do everything at once,” he said.

Also present at the event was South Korean pop idol Rain, who was dressed in a grey suit and T-shirt, and sporting a sleek red hairdo.

In a separate chat through an interpreter, the lanky singer-actor, 26, told the emcee that he would buy a watch like Montblanc’s latest model to reward himself for working so hard, adding that he spent most of his time attending meetings.

When pressed, he admitted he would also get it for his fiancee – if he has one.

His ideal woman? “I like girls who are kawaii-style (cute in Japanese), innocent and pure.” – The Straits Times, Singapore / Asia News Network

Bruce Lee Museum Opens its doors...

2008-11-11T18:10:00.000Z

The ancestral hometown of Bruce Lee in southern China has finished building the world's largest memorial museum for the action legend, China News Service reported Tuesday.

Visitors crowd the new Bruce Lee museum that opened in Shunde, Guangdong Province on November 9, 2008. [fsonline.com.cn]

The museum, located in Shunde, Guangdong Province, was inaugurated Sunday by Bruce's sister Phoebe Lee, who traveled from San Francisco for the occasion.

More than 1,000 items related to or used by Bruce Lee are on display, including costumes and photographs. Some letters and poems written by the martial artist are being exhibited for the first time, the report says.

The compound also includes a sculpture park that will feature the world's tallest Bruce Lee statue when the 18.8-meter-tall artwork is finished early next year.

Future meet-ups for Bruce Lee's fans are being planned, with which the museum's director Huang Dechao hopes to create a communication forum for worldwide fans.

There has been a resurgent interest in China over Bruce Lee, who passed away three decades ago, thanks to a new 50-episode drama series "The Legend of Bruce Lee," produced by China Central Television (CCTV). The drama, although controversial for some bloopers found in its scenes, has become the most-watched CCTV drama in history following its initial airing in October.

(CRI November 11, 2008)

"Ip Man" will open on December 19

2008-11-11T16:51:00.001Z

Hong Kong action movie "Ip Man" will open on December 19 in Chinese theatres for the year-end box office battle.

A poster of "Ip Man" with actor Donnie Yen. [sina.com.cn]

The movie, helmed by director Wilson Yip, is adapted from the story of Ip Man. It retells the life of the grand master of Wing Chun martial arts, known internationally as Bruce Lee's teacher.

Ip Man is played by kung fu star Donnie Yen. He spent nine months learning Wing Chun, Yen told the Dahe Daily.

One of Hong Kong's most popular partnerships, Wong Kar Wai and Tony Leung, will also make a biopic of the kung fu master. Their movie will start filming next summer, a report said.

2008-10-31T11:59:00.002Z

By Nick Perry

Seattle Times higher-education reporter

Bruce Lee admirers want to build an Eastern-style memorial garden at the University of Washington to commemorate their icon — but whether or not the UW will agree remains in doubt.

A group called The Bruce Lee Project at UW on Monday announced it wants to build a reflective garden in front of the Husky Union Building. The group plans to put the idea before UW Regents at their next meeting, Nov. 20.

At this point, the group's proposal lacks specifics — such as a design, timeline or cost analysis. But the group says it has built a network of hundreds of supporters, including the Bruce Lee family and local business owners.

However, the university has remained ambivalent to the idea of memorializing Lee, one of its most famous former students.

Lee, a martial-arts and movie icon, was born in San Francisco and grew up in Hong Kong. He attended the UW for three years but did not graduate. He died in 1973 at age 32.

"Somebody needs to make a compelling case as to why here and why now," said UW spokesman Norm Arkans. "Why here, as opposed to someplace else in the community?"

Jamil Suleman, a former UW student who last year taught a two-credit course at the UW through the Comparative History of Ideas Department called "CHID 496: Bruce Lee Dedication" argues that UW statues and monuments don't adequately represent contributions from minorities.

"He went to the UW for three years, he met his wife there, and he started teaching," Suleman said. "He kind of dropped out to become Bruce Lee."

Suleman said Lee had a big impact at the UW and in Seattle. He said the university has no problem recognizing other people who didn't graduate or even attend — not the least of whom include George Washington and Bill Gates.

A garden would reflect Lee's Eastern spiritual perspective, Suleman said. It would have an advantage over a statue because people could use the garden to contemplate and experience peacefulness rather than just viewing an object.

"What we are trying to do with this peace garden is have a space that anyone on campus can feel they belong in," he said.

Suleman said he believes the first step is to get the administration to agree to the idea before developing more details. He said he can't imagine the garden would be costly to construct or interfere much with campus life.But the UW may want to know more details first.

"We can't get a read until we see something and vet it," Arkans said. "We need to see what's involved and see what the impact would be to a treasured space."

Celebrity Ducks - Bruce Lee new model.

2008-10-27T08:25:00.003Z

The original creator of the first-ever celebrity rubber ducks of the greatest icons of film, music, athletics and history, is doing their part to bring a little happiness to a tough economy. Thus they are releasing their new Marilyn Monroe and Bruce Lee limited edition rubber ducks just in time for the holidays.
Wearing a pink dress with white gloves, the new Marilyn duck embodies the epitome of elegance in the tub. After all, in any economy, diamonds are still a duck's best friend. Bruce Lee, complete with weaponry, is guaranteed to protect one's tub from any financial turbulence with his classic pose from "Enter the Dragon." CelebriDucks president Craig Wolfe remarked, "In hard times, we need some real heavy-hitters in our bath to lighten things up. To have two such classic icons added to our line really gives people some very cool gifts that anyone can afford."

The company is best known for their line of celebrity ducks including The Wizard of Oz, Elvis Presley, Bill Clinton, Larry the Cable Guy, and KISS, among hundreds of others. The company created a Tropical Parrot, complete with Hawaiian shirt and shades, for The Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville Cafes, and successfully sells their Blues Brothers ducks at all House of Blues venues nationwide. They also recently broke new ground by creating the world's first-ever floating Pink Flamingo, which debuted at The Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.

CelebriDucks has produced ducks for the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, Collegiate Mascots, and NASCAR. The company has pioneered a whole new collectible and to date their ducks have appeared on numerous TV shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CBS Evening Magazine, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. CelebriDucks were voted one of the top 100 gifts by Entertainment Weekly.

Contact:
Craig Wolfe
415-456-3452
info@celebriducks.com
Get them here

Bruce Lee's Daughter Applauds Chinese TV Series

2008-10-25T08:32:00.001Z

Bruce Lee's daughter said Friday she's happy that China has embraced her father with a 50-part prime-time TV series on his life - even though the late action star was no fan of communism.

The series currently airing on state broadcaster China Central Television, which portrays the late action star as a nationalist hero, is China's first movie or TV drama on the late actor. When Lee made his name playing characters who defended the Chinese against oppressors in the early 1970s, China was still a closed country.

"Obviously, my father doesn't have a lot of love for communist ideology and believed in a different outlook on life," Shannon Lee told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.

"But what I do think is great is that China is embracing him as a role model. It may not be exactly in the way he would necessarily have viewed it, but at the same time, I think they recognize him as an influence in the world, which I think is great," said Lee, who authorized the TV series.

Lee, who died in 1973, was born in San Francisco but grew up in Hong Kong.

The younger Lee also said she is working with Hong Kong officials to convert her father's former home into an museum.

The two-story house is owned by developer Yu Pang-lin, who has said he is willing to donate the property but wants the Hong Kong government to lead efforts to raise funds for the museum.

Great MP3 of Enter the Dragon

2008-10-21T13:40:00.002Z

This track is dedicated to the legendary icon and the first International Chinese movie star Bruce Lee. This track came about when I stumbled upon some vocal samples of Bruce Lee a while ago. When I heard these samples, I was immediately inspired to create a track around Bruce Lee's voices. After experimenting with the samples, I was finally able to connect the pieces all together, well in my opinion at least. :) anyway, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did making it. maybe I'll come up with new versions of this track in the near future!

Download from here

01. POMATIC ft. Bruce Lee - Like Water (Enter The Dragon)

02. POMATIC ft. Bruce Lee - Like Water (Enter The Dragon) [Radio Edit]

all tracks are composed, arranged and produced by POMATIC. contains samples from Bruce Lee's 1973 break through film "Enter The Dragon" and his 1971 "The Lost Interview" footage!
© 2007 POMA Productions. All rights reserved. POMATIC!

New Fans for the Master - Bruce Lee

2008-10-21T07:27:00.002Z

BRUCE LEE'S compact body is coated with sweat and ripples with muscles; he seems impervious to the razor slashes across his midriff. Glaring from beneath fierce eyebrows at the fool who has chosen to cross him, he tenses those legendary fists before striking out. Scores of villains are no match for him. Lee always prevails.

A sign outside Huangpu park in Shanghai saying "No Dogs or Chinese" causes unbearable anger. His lip curls and the man born in the Hour of the Dragon in the Year of the Dragon tears down the sign and smashes the offending warning into pieces with an overhead kick.

"I am Chinese," he yells as he defeats another would-be oppressor, very often a Japanese or Russian villain.

The Way of the Dragon has never been so popular in China. Bruce Lee is a national hero in kung fu crazy China for the way he embodied Chinese pride and nationalism in his movies, but many in mainland China missed him the first time around in the early 1970s because films like Enter the Dragon and Fists of Fury were banned by Mao as spiritual pollution and rightist sentimentality.

China's state broadcaster China Central Television is setting the record straight this week with the start of a 50-part prime-time series on him, The Legend of Bruce Lee.

It was shot in Lee's ancestral home in Shunde, in southern China's Guangdong province, as well as Macau, the US, Italy and Thailand, and took nine months to make at a cost of 50 million yuan (€5.35 million). It has pride of place in the evening schedule, with two hour-long episodes shown consecutively every night.

Bruce Lee is largely credited with reviving interest in the ancient art of kung fu in Hong Kong, and subsequently China, and the whole country is crazy about martial arts. China wanted to include kung fu in the Olympics in August but was turned down, instead staging a separate kung fu competition.

The quickfire kung fu moves and often surreally dubbed dialogue, combined with Lee's incredible athleticism, transformed the martial arts movie and his films quickly achieved cult status.

In his films he is always called Little Dragon and his association with the powerful dragon symbol is central to his philosophy.

What Lee himself would have thought of his fame in China is hard to say. He was certainly a nationalist, but he was also a Hong Konger. During his heyday the Cultural Revolution was at its height and there were a lot of tensions across the border with Hong Kong. Until Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, many in the colony had an uneasy relationship with the People's Republic, the antithesis of its free-wheeling capitalism.

His death is a source of some mystery and there were all kinds of rumours. The discovery of cannabis in his blood led to speculation of a drug overdose. Triad crime gangs were rumoured to have poisoned him; another popular theory was that he was simply too fit and his veins burst under the sheer strain. The official version is he died of a brain haemorrhage.

Mainland Chinese only started watching Bruce Lee films in the 1980s, when videos of classic movies like The Chinese Connection became available, but his legend has not ebbed. A theme park, complete with a statue, a memorial hall, conference centre and martial arts academy, is being built in Shunde.

Lee is a resonant figure for the Chinese because he always emphasised power and resolve in the face of adversity, particularly from foreign oppressors. He reserved much of his wrath for the Japanese - post-second World War humiliation was felt even more strongly in the 1970s.

The television series is attracting keen worldwide interest, both in places with a large Chinese diaspora like Malaysia and Singapore, and further afield in the US and Korea. The producers are confident they can sell the series abroad at $100,000 per episode. The website for the show has already received two million hits.

"The previous versions made in Hong Kong and Taiwan were too commercial. We hoped to make a good version," said Zhang Hua, general manager of China Film Television Production Corporation. Lee's daughter, the actress Shannon Lee, has approved the script and is credited as an executive producer.

The series was originally scheduled to be aired before the Olympics, but was postponed because of the mourning period following the Sichuan earthquake.

Expect the Bruce Lee love affair to run and run. The latest news is that China's top director Zhang Yimou, who made Hero and directed the Olympic opening ceremony, has said he is keen to shoot a film version.

© 2008 The Irish Times

SHUNDE, CHINA: The connection....

2008-10-21T07:25:00.001Z

SHUNDE, CHINA: Shunde’s most famous ‘export’ expat is Bruce Lee, who was born in the hour of the dragon, in the year of the dragon. Although born in the USA and raised in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee is still connected to Shunde. How?

Bruce Lee’s father was born in the village of Jun’An, in the county of Shunde in the Guangdong Province.

The Lee ancestral home is now a museum dedicated to the famous film career of Bruce Lee. There is a street named after Bruce Lee in Shunde. That’s about it.
Lee was born in San Francisco and only ever held US citizenship, even though his parents went to Hong Kong when Lee was three months old. Lee was educated in Hong Kong schools but at the age of 18 Lee was sent back to live in the USA by his father after beating someone up in a fight.

Bruce Lee fans will make the pilgrimage to his ancestral home in Shunde however. And for visitors to the Shunde expo, it would make an interesting sightseeing opportunity.

New advert with Bruce Lee

2008-10-21T07:21:00.002Z

Using dead stars for commercials is legal, with companies paying royalties to rights holders.

In the past it was considered a taboo to publicly talk about the dead. No more. An increasing number of businesses are turning to deceased icons to help sell their products.

Putting aside questions of political-correctness when using dead people in ads, the so-called ‘deceased (star) marketing’ is proving itself to be a successful marketing strategy.

It is definitely an unusual penchant for Confucianism-originated Korea, where those who have passed away are considered sacred and should be left alone.

Satisfied with the results of using the late comedian, Hungkuk has now ‘cast’ the legendary Bruce Lee in its newest commercials, which started airing September 19.

The new advertisement features Lee from one of his movies. Between fight scenes, editing and subtitles make it seem as if Lee is actually promoting the product and its inexpensiveness.

The advertisements are legal, with the companies paying royalties to rights holders, most of whom are children and family of the deceased.
Timeless popularity and familiarity — which sometimes invokes nostalgia — make late celebrities a popular object for advertising companies, experts said.

By using friendly figures from the past, the nostalgia felt by the viewers often leads to favourable sentiment and raises brand recognition.
Some observers, however, caution that using famous idols in commercials may prompt a negative image of the companies, especially among long-time fans.

What do you think? Is this right or wrong?

TV show in China Bruce Lee

2008-10-15T18:28:00.001Z

Was Bruce Lee scared of cockroaches? Did losing a bout frustrate him? How did he die?

The Legend of Bruce Lee (Li Xiaolong Chuanqi), a 50-episode TV series airing on CCTV-1's prime time slot from Oct 12, attempts to show the human face of the iconic kungfu master.

Hong Kong actor Chan Kwok Kwan plays the iconic kungfu master in The Legend of Bruce Lee. File photo

As the first ever film or TV series on Lee by a Chinese mainland crew, the series traces his life from his teenage years to his move to America, his film career and sudden death at the age of 32.

The dazzling kungfu scenes, says director Li Wenqi, are only part of the drama, while the stories of Lee as an ordinary human being are what differentiate the show from numerous other biopics of the martial artist.

It may be hard to believe that Lee was afraid of a cockroach but the series reveals this to be true. To overcome his fear, Lee is believed to have killed some cockroaches and strung them together as a necklace.

The series also tells of the love affair between Lee and his wife Linda. Lee is shown as a funny and tender boyfriend, and later a loving husband and father. Lee's early experiences of washing dishes in restaurants and clearing garbage in a hospital have been retained in the final version, after the exchange of scores of letters between the director and Lee's daughter Shannon.

On Lee's controversial death, the version in the series is that he died of overwork and the abuse of stimulants. This accords with the most enduring rumor since Lee's sudden death in 1973. Some, however, believe excessive physical training triggered Lee's death.

Taiwan actress Betty Ting's house is known as the place where Lee collapsed before he died, but out of consideration for his fans, director Li has changed the location to a pub opened by Ting.

Unlike most other films or TV series on Lee, the show has plenty of scenes showing Lee losing bouts to his opponents.

"Most people only know a Bruce Lee who was a super hero, someone who always won," says Hong Kong actor Chan Kwok Kwan who plays the icon. "But few understand that behind the glorious moments was also a vulnerable man."

Chan's resemblance to Lee is what bagged him this role. His best-known roles to date are as a gang member in Stephen Chow's Kungfu Hustle and as a goalkeeper in Shaolin Soccer. As a huge fan of Lee himself, Chow also chose Chan because of his similarly slender body and thick eyebrows.

Chan says he was attracted not only to Lee's kungfu accomplishments, but his strong desire to create his own kungfu style and his courage in the face of frustrations.

The series was completed over nine months with shooting on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, as well as in the US, Italy, Thailand and Canada. Actors from more than 30 countries were involved.

According to Chan, the shooting went smoothly and on the rare occasion when there was trouble, the name Bruce Lee was enough to rally support from the locals.

Various new films on Lee are also in the pipeline.

Hong Kong director Stanley Kwan is preparing a film on Lee and his son Brandon. Another Hong Kong director Fruit Chan is searching for a teenage Lee for a new project of his own. Even Lee's mentor Yip Man has emerged as a popular subject. Two Hong Kong directors Wong Kar-wai and Wilson Yip had a minor dispute earlier this year because they both wanted to shoot a film about the master's master and even used the same title.

Liverpool Event

2008-10-05T11:43:00.001Z

A fan in Liverpool is in the process of attempting to organise a screening of Big Boss and Fist of Fury at a venue in Merseyside. I ask all UK fans if they would be willing to support such an event as I would need to sell approx 200 tickets @ £3 ech to cover the cost of venue hire. I am trying to get this for November 29th to coincide with Bruce's birthday (27th). If you GENUINELY would like to attend such an event please email me at shukocarl79@aol.com.

Please contact Carl direct.

Kato The Movie

2008-09-24T06:55:00.001Z

Hong Kong actor-director Stephen Chow is to make his Hollywood directorial debut with the film adaptation of comicdom's Green Hornet, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The Kung Fu Hustle star is also taking on the role of Kato, played by the legendary Bruce Lee in the 1960s TV series, alongside Seth Rogen as the masked crime-fighter. Rogen, who has reportedly slimmed down for the role, has written the screenplay with his Superbad partner Evan Goldberg. "I'm excited to be taking on The Green Hornet - obviously I've been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid," Chow said. "The idea of stepping into Bruce Lee's shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is simply a dream come true." The Green Hornet is due to hit cinemas in June 2010.

Farewell to a Dear Friend, Mentor and Martial Artist

2008-09-11T18:19:00.001Z

Farewell to a Dear Friend, Mentor and Martial Artist On Wednesday, the 06th of August 2008, a friend, mentor, teacher, brother and ... Hon. Sigung, DeWelle F. (Skip) Ellsworth, Jr. passed away peacefully in his home on the Island of Cebu, the Philippines. Skip Ellsworth was one of Sijo Bruce Lee’s first students in Seattle, Washington from 1959-1963, however, he remained in constant contact with Sijo Lee until his death. Skip was a true and great friend to many who had the pleasure to know him and will be missed by us all. However, he leaves behind a great legacy through his innovative teachings in log home building techniques, his personal writings on all subjects near and dear to him, his authorised writings about Sijo Bruce Lee by Paul Bax, his wonderful six-children, and the unselfish vision he had to develop a fund for the specific purpose of saving lives of the poor children in the Philippines, through providing financial assistance for immediate medical care and attention.
This fund is presently known as the “Alfonso Fund”, but with permission from Mr. Alfonso through Skip’s widow, Belle, I’ve requested that the fund’s name be changed to the, “Skip Ellsworth Memorial Fund", so that he may forever be remembered.
May he rest in peace with the knowledge that his memory will live on through his vision, and legacies. Below is an excerpt from Skip’s favourite poem by T.S. Elliot. As mentioned to me, this is how Skip felt when people would at times approach him to talk about Sijo Bruce Lee. ÖTime for you and time for me, And time yet for a hundred indecisions, And for a hundred visions and revisions, Before the taking of a toast and tea. In the room the people come and go Talking of Michelangelo (Bruce Lee). In Deep Respect Dr. C. Gigante MacBaine, Mr. Bernd Hoehle & Martial Arts Association - International ( www.MAA I.com).

From Peer in Norway

2008-09-04T16:43:00.001Z

It is with sadness that Peer in Norway I got the message from David Tadman that Bruce Lee’s older brother Peter Lee has passed away:

“Robert Lee, Phoebe Lee and Agnes Lee wanted to thank everyone for their support of their brother Bruce Lee and at this time of deep sadness, they would ask if all the Bruce Lee fans on this forum and around the world will say a prayer for their brother Peter who just passed away yesterday. They want everyone to know that Bruce loved Peter and at times they were in competition with one another, Bruce-always looked up-to him.”

Walk On...

Peer, Norway

2008-08-29T18:24:00.002Z

The modest two-floor house where the Enter the Dragon star spent the last few months of his life in 1973 is currently a "love hotel", where rooms can be rented by the hour to amorous couples.

Outside the Romance Hotel, in the northern district of Kowloon Tong, there is no sign to indicate that one of Hong Kong's most famous actors ever owned the 5,000 sq ft house.

Inside, a warren of thin corridors is decorated with aged posters of semi-naked women. The small rooms are decorated with a small sink and brown bedcovers.

The building is now the battleground between Bruce Lee fans, a billionaire Chinese property tycoon, and the Hong Kong government.

Yu Panglin, an 86-year-old hotelier based in Shenzen, said he bought the house 30 years ago for 850,000 HK dollars (£60,000). Today he claims it is worth 100 million HK dollars.

After the enormous earthquake in Sichuan in May, Mr Yu announced his intention to sell the building, together with three surrounding plots. He said he would donate some of the money he raised to the rebuilding of Sichuan.

The Hong Kong Bruce Lee Club quickly intervened to stop him. A page on Facebook, the social networking site, was set up to marshal opposition to the plan and to turn the house into a museum.

Lee's widow, Linda Lee Caldwell, and daughter Shannon, have reportedly agreed to donate personal items to a new museum. A Bruce Lee museum is also in construction at Shunde in mainland China, where Mr Lee was originally from, but never lived.

Wong Yiukeung, the chairman of the fan club, said that while the island is happy to profit from Mr Lee's boost to tourism, little effort had been made to commemorate him. "Lots of tourists want to visit the house. I have to tell them to get a partner of the opposite sex in order to get in," he said.

Even Robert Lee, the younger brother of the film star, stepped into the fray. "My family finds it regretful that the Hong Kong government has not done much for my brother. I urge them to buy the residence and convert it into a museum," he wrote in a letter to Donald Tsang, the chief administrator of Hong Kong. The government, however, quickly ruled out spending public money on the building.

However, the protests have had an effect on Mr Yu. After failing to sell it, or swap it for government property elsewhere, he magnanimously agreed to donate the building, saying that it was "priceless in the sense that this is the last property with links to Bruce Lee in Hong Kong".

He told the South China Morning Post that Mr Lee had been instrumental in changing attitudes to China in the West: "Our weak national image only changed after his movies were shown to western audiences."

However, he said he would only allow the house to be turned into a museum if the government allows him to hugely expand the site into a 30,000 sq ft retail outlet.

His idea has not met with enthusiasm. "The building is a residence of a simple style without unique architectural claims. Houses like this are very common," said the Antiquities and Monuments Office. It added that expanding the site would destroy the cultural value of the house.

The deadlock has exasperated the fans. "We just have to wait now for the government to make up its mind," said Mr Wong. As a result, the 35th anniversary of Mr Lee's death went unmarked in Hong Kong, except for a small display in Mr Wong's tiny shop.

Bruce Lee Clothes

2008-08-16T07:20:00.011Z

A firm in China has come up with a range of Bruce Lee Clothes. Check them out.... http://shop34388944.taobao.com

News from Seattle USA

2008-08-09T11:06:00.001Z

The Bruce Lee Action Museum would occupy a city block, soar three stories and cost up to $50 million to build.

Lee's surviving family members want to see the contemporary structure honoring the late action hero built in Seattle, his home from 1959 to 1964. His widow and daughter visited Seattle this weekend and unveiled the project plans on Friday during a private reception at the Seattle Art Museum.

The family commemorated the 35th anniversary of Lee's death, as well as the release of his film "Enter the Dragon." Lee died July 20, 1973 at the age of 32. He is buried at Lake View Cemetery.

The museum -- which Lee's family also refers to as BLAM -- would incorporate sleek architectural lines and focus on the themes of community, research, philosophy, action, scholarship, education and foundation.

"It's a great dream of ours," daughter Shannon Lee said at the reception. "We think of this project as a living thing."

The family is working with Carson Architects, a Marina del Rey, Calif. firm, on the project, which would include two outdoor plazas, a meditation room, a library and a 250-seat theater.

A wall near the entrance would have his image sandblasted in a mirror. A large yin-and-yang design would sit in a courtyard. And bamboo would wrap around most of the building.

"It's supposed to be what Bruce Lee was about," Thomas Carson, the firm's principal said. "Shannon and her mom really want it here."

Shannon Lee added: "Movement is a central part of the design."

The family spent the weekend searching for possible sites in Seattle to build the museum. They have been discussing the project with Carson over the past four to five years.

"It seemed like a natural progression," Shannon Lee said, explaining the museum's origins.

The Lee family and supporters said they would need to raise significant funds to achieve their goal.

Carson said the family intends to talk with Seattle officials about their plans for the project and that the museum would also be used to house the Bruce Lee Foundation, a cafe and a conference room.

Above the large rectangular entrance, visitors would see an image of Lee kicking in the air. His philosophical sayings would be inside on walls.
A Chinese lion dance team performed for Shannon Lee and her mother, Linda Lee Cadwell.

Lee was born in San Francisco and lived in Hong Kong with his family. He moved to Seattle after family friends, Ping and Ruby Chow, said he could work at their restaurant.

In Seattle, he met his first student, trained in Chinatown and studied philosophy at the University of Washington.

He also met Linda Emery, who took classes with him and became his wife. Their first date was at the Space Needle restaurant. The two were married on Aug. 17, 1964 at the Seattle Congregational Church.

"Bruce Lee: Legends of the Dragon Vol. 2"

2008-07-30T04:13:00.002Z

Tao Publishing Ltd are please to announced: Volume 2 of the continuing series Legends of the Dragon by Steve Kerridge will be launching at the Bruce Lee's 35th Memorial event in Seattle on the 18-20th July 2008 ! There will be a book signing opportunity with Linda Lee Cadwell, Shannon Lee and Steve Kerridge ! Advance copies will be flown just for the event and general UK release will be late August

"Bruce Lee: Legends of the Dragon Vol. 2" is a much bigger book than volume one: A total of 340 pages ! Dim: 210x210mm !

Available in paperback and limited hardback.

"Bruce Lee: Legends of the Dragon Vol. 2" Paperback - ISBN: 978-0-9557920-2-1 - £25.00
"Bruce Lee: Legends of the Dragon Vol. 2" Limited Hardback - ISBN: 978-0-9557920-3-8 - £35.00

As you can see, the price of book 2 has increased by 15%, this is reflected by the increase of 25% in number of pages!

You can secure your copy now, and be the first to recieve the books upon its arrival.

The paperback version of "Bruce Lee: Legends of the Dragon Vol. 2" will be available in all good book stores.

For further information of the Bruce Lee Seattle event: www.bruceleefoundation.com
For further information of the book series: www.taopublishing.co.uk
To secure your copy of "Bruce Lee: Legends of the Dragon Vol. 2" Limited Hardback: www.taosport.co.uk

35 years on....

2008-07-29T18:38:00.002Z

Remembering Bruce Lee in Hong Kong

Sunday marked the 35th anniversary of the death of martial-arts film legend Bruce Lee at the young age of 32. But it was hard to find any trace of a tribute at his old residence in Hong Kong, which has been converted to a rooms-by-the-hour love motel. For Lee’s devoted fans (site mostly in Chinese), there has been little hope of converting the Kowloon Tong site into a shrine befitting the kung fu icon—one the most recognizable Chinese people of the 20th century. Until now.

Bruce Lee’s former home at 41 Cumberland Road in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, is now a love motel, but may someday become a museum honoring the martial arts icon.

Lee’s two-story home was to be sold this month for as much as $13 million to benefit victims of the Sichuan earthquake, but owner/philanthropist Yu Pang-lin, responding to appeals from Lee’s fans, decided instead to donate the property to the city so it can be turned into a museum. Under Hong Kong law, the government would need to approve Yu’s proposal. It won’t be easy; Yu wants to expand the roughly 5,000-square-foot site to add a 25,000-square-foot building, complete with library, cinema and martial arts center. So far, town planning and antiquities boards have told local media that the ambitious plan may not meet standards required for such a project.

Still, fans are hoping that the city where the San Francisco-born action star made his biggest mark will offer something more informative than the eight-foot-two-inch bronze statue on the harbor that was unveiled in 2005. While a memorial service was held on Sunday in Seattle, where Lee is buried, memorials are popping up around the world, with many wondering when Hong Kong will unveil its own museum.

Lee’s ancestral village in Guangdong province, Shunde, converted his family’s old home into a museum and named a street after him in 2002, despite a slim connection to Lee himself. But Shunde certainly has more of connection than another notable tribute, a statue in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. That statue, which isn’t meant to honor Lee himself as much as “the very idea of justice” he represented, was dedicated Nov. 26, 2005—the day before Lee’s birthday and a day before Hong Kong’s statue dedication.

In the meantime, Bruce Lee fans in Hong Kong can check out the exhibition of photos and memorabilia organized by the Hong Kong-based Bruce Lee Club through July 28 at Innocentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, a few blocks away from Lee’s old home in Kowloon Tong.”

New Site to try out and vote on....

2008-06-17T18:39:00.000Z

There is a new website to invite the public to vote for their Top 5 films (albums and books) in an evolving poll to find the Greatest Albums etc of all time – www.pollthepeople.com . The site was borne out of frustration at the number of TV and press polls based on very little research or the opinions of a few journalists. The site founded by Glenn Cooper previously the Head of Digital @ Island Records UK for 6 years who left his role to focus on this venture with his wife Kirsty Cooper who has over 10 years music marketing and PR experience.

They already have had over 3,700 people sign up and vote in the first month from over 100 different countries and we are already working on a TV show format and a “Poll The People top rated” retail sticker initiative. In addition they have had features in The Times and The Guardian as well as trade press so we have had a great start. The early visitors to the site have been very pop biased and it’s important to us that we reach out to fans of all great films and actors so the poll becomes truly definitive.

Drop by and vote for your favourite!

Bruce Lee's home sold to help quake victims

2008-06-04T15:34:00.001Z

The former Hong Kong home of kung fu legend Bruce Lee is to be sold to raise money for China's earthquake relief effort, a news report said today.

The two-storey house in the city's exclusive Kowloon Tong residential district, where Lee spent his final years before his death in 1973, is expected to fetch around $US13 million ($A13.51 million).

Its owner is Yu Panglin who bought the house for $US108,000 ($A112,266.11) in the 1960s and was landlord to the star of Enter The Dragon and Fists Of Fury when Lee lived there with his wife Linda Lee-Cadwell.

Lee affectionately named the house Crane's Nest, and was living there when he died mysteriously at the peak of his stardom at the home of an actress friend in another part of Kowloon Tong. He was 32.

Until five years ago the house was used as a "love hotel" where couples rented rooms at hourly rates, much to the disappointment of Bruce Lee fan club members who wanted it turned into a museum and shrine to their hero.

Yu, an 86-year-old philanthropist, is selling the house along with four other Hong Kong properties to raise money towards victims of the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province, the South China Morning Post reported.

Hong Kong people have already donated over $HK1 billion ($A133.06 million)) towards the disaster relief effort with tycoon Li Ka-shing, the city's richest man, giving a solo donation of almost $US4 million ($A4.16 million).

Broadway awaits Bruce Lee musical....

2008-06-01T09:02:00.001Z

History just might repeat itself.

Two decades ago, Cameron Mackintosh and company searched the world over for a girl who would play Kim in Miss Saigon, only to end up finding in the Philippines not just the Kim in the person of Lea Salonga but the other actors in the musical which turned out to be a megahit not just at the Royale Drury Lane in London’s West End where it opened in 1989 but in other parts of the world.

Don’t look now but a Filipino martial artist who sings just might bag the role in the Bruce Lee musical to be mounted in 2010.

"Who knows?," said Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (news editor of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter) who filed the following exclusive:

Asian actors in Broadway, Filipinos especially, are exhilarated over the recent announcement by Elephant Eye Theatrical of the staging of Bruce Lee: Journey to the West, a new musical slated for New York sometime during the 2010-11season.

It’s not often that Broadway produces musicals or plays that utilize many Asian talents. Most of the time, you’ll be lucky to find one or two Asians in the cast.

Musicals like Miss Saigon, South Pacific or Flower Drum Song that employ mostly Asian performers come once in a blue moon. That’s why the coming of the Bruce Lee musical will give Asian talents another chance to shine on stage.

And like in Miss Saigon and Flower Drum Song, Filipino actors "known for their generic Asian features and amazing singing and acting prowess" could also dominate the Bruce Lee cast. The likes of Paolo Montalban or Jose Llana may not land the title role but they can definitely grab a major role, ditto with the likes of Pinay Broadway stars Joan Almedilla, Rona Figueroa, Leila Florentino or maybe even Broadway royalty Lea Salonga.

There’s no casting yet for the role of Bruce Lee who died in 1973 at the age of 32, but it’s certain that the show will be directed by Bartlett Sher who is winning acclaim this season for his direction of the Lincoln Center Theatre revival of South Pacific.

Bruce Lee: Journey to the West will be based on the book by David Henry Hwang, author of M. Butterfly, and a score by David Yazbeck who wrote the music and lyrics for The Full Monty and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The choreography will be by Dou Dou Huang, artistic director of the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble.

Besides martial arts, the musical will feature Chinese opera, pop music and more as it traces Lee’s journey to film stardom.

It is interesting to note that the search for Miss Saigon prompted producers to travel across the world to find their Kim, a Vietnamese young mother, only to find her in Manila in the person of Lea Salonga and her understudy, Monique Wilson, so it’s not impossible that this could happen again — you know, Filipino talents in Chinese roles. I’m sure a lot of Filipino and Asian actors in New York will audition. Of course, aside from having those abs and muscles and "Ramon Zamora" looks, the candidate must also know how to sing while doing the flying kick or fighting with his chako.

Bruce is generally considered to be the most famous martial artist of the last century. His physical dexterity and mastery of martial arts propelled him to cinematic fame. He starred in only five feature films but his impact on society is regarded as having sparked interest in Chinese martial arts in the US.

Bruce is the father of Jun Fan Gung Fu, a martial art he developed. Jun Fan Gung Fu means "Bruce Lee’s Way of the Intercepting Fist." Jun Fan Gung Fu heavily borrows from a myriad of martial arts styles and is meant to be a dynamic form allowing room for the student to adapt to their particular fighting style. This form of martial art is still being taught today.

While Bruce’s death is shrouded in controversy and conspiracy theories, his legacy is beyond dispute. Millions of fans have enjoyed his films, life and teachings. Bruce introduced the world to a new genre of action films and sparked widespread interest in martial arts among hundreds of thousands of young people.

Bruce Lee Foundation Poster magazine

2008-05-24T07:25:00.006Z

The first ever Bruce Lee Foundation Poster magazine. Officially endorsed by Concord Moon LP, this has been created by David Tadman and Steve Kerridge and was unveiled at the SENI event. This is a limited edition of 1000.

Just order your copy at Tao Sport Ltd. in London, U.K. !

Price GB£4.99 plus postage from England, Europe.

Broadway musical about Bruce Lee

2008-05-23T15:42:00.001Z

Planning is underway for a Broadway musical about the life of martial arts legend Bruce Lee.

Theatre production company Elephant Eye Theatrical announced that "Bruce Lee: Journey to the West " is targeted for the 2010-2011 Broadway season.

Theatre magazine Playbill says Bruce Lee will be directed by Bartlett Sher, who received a Tony Award nominee for South Pacific. The music and lyrics will be written by David Yazbe, who wrote the music for The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Elephant Eye said the musical will tell the story of "the martial arts legend's difficult road to success, as figures from Chinese mythology follow his quest and The Monkey King, a beloved warrior god, becomes his heavenly ally".

HONG KONG — News

2008-05-23T15:39:00.002Z

HONG KONG — News reports say Bruce Lee's former home in Hong Kong is being sold to raise money for earthquake relief efforts in China.

The Souch China Morning Post reports philanthropist Yu Pang-lin plans to sell five residential properties in the Kowloon Tong district, including Lee's former home, with the proceeds going to quake relief.

The report says the plot has an estimated worth of US$13 million.

Yu was not immediately available for comment.

BRUCE LEE FOUNDATION NEWS JULY 18-20th

2008-05-18T08:58:00.002Z

BRUCE LEE FOUNDATION NEWS
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON JULY 18 – 20, 2008

Hello Friends of the Bruce Lee Foundation!

We know you have been waiting for the info on the Seattle event. Well, here it is!

We are very excited to officially open registration for Seattle.

As you know, this summer marks the 35th anniversary for Enter the Dragon as well as the passing of Bruce Lee. We at the Bruce Lee Foundation have put together our most elaborate event yet to commemorate these important occasions.

Where: Seattle Art Museum and Lakeview Cemetery
When: July 18 – 20, 2008
What: Join us for Seminars, a 35th Anniversary Bruce Lee Exhibit, screenings of Enter the Dragon, the first ever JKD Instructor Summit, a Graveside Memorial and Celebration Banquet, an Exclusive Limited Entry Preview Night, and much, much more!

Registration Information:

To register for the event, contact Tammy at info@bruceleefoundation.org or send your name and contact info with your payment and which events you are registering for to:

Bruce Lee Foundation
Seattle 35th Anniversary Celebration
11693 San Vicente Blvd
Suite 918
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Mailed registrations will not be accepted after Monday, July 14, 2008.

Events and Pricing:

All events except the graveside memorial and the lunch on Sunday take place at the Seattle Museum of Art!!

Exclusive, Limited Entry Preview Night – Friday, July 18, 2008

An Exclusive First Look Tour of the Bruce Lee Exhibit with Linda and Shannon and other contributors.
A Private Screening of Enter the Dragon with Q &As and Bonus Footage.
Unveiling of the Plans for the Bruce Lee Museum

Wine and Appetizers
Special Guests

$125.00
Limit 100 participants

*Full schedule of activities not yet confirmed. Confirmed schedule to follow shortly.

Seminars and Demos Only – Friday, July 18, 2008 and Saturday, July 19, 2008

Both Friday and Saturday: $100.00 per participant
Friday Only: $40.00 per participant
Saturday Only: $80.00 per participant

*schedule and instructor / demonstrator list to follow shortly

Discounts available for groups of ten or more when purchasing both Friday and Saturday.

Screening of Enter the Dragon – Saturday Evening, July 19, 2008

$10.00 per ticket
Limit 250 seats

Graveside Memorial and Luncheon – Sunday, July 20, 2008

Graveside Memorial – FREE

Transportation from Seattle Art Museum to Lakeview Cemetery to Restaurant back to Cemetery $20.00 per person

Celebration Luncheon

Traditional Chinese lunch, special guests, speakers, raffle prizes and more

New Hong Kong Restaurant
900 S Jackson Street

$50.00 per person

Instructor Summit on Sunday morning - July 20, 2008

Community meeting with JKD Instructors to discuss the future of JKD, how to work together, licensing and other issues, and more

FREE

Bruce Lee Exhibit - Friday, July 18 – 20, 2008

Open to the Public

FREE

All Inclusive Package for All Events - July 18–20, 2008

Includes all seminars and demos, Saturday screening of Enter the Dragon, transportation to the memorial and luncheon, Celebration Luncheon, one raffle ticket, and a free tee shirt

*excludes Friday preview night

$160.00 per person

Specific seminar and events schedule and accommodations information to follow next week but don’t wait! Reserve your spot now! This promises to be a very special event and we hope you will join us!

Discounts available for groups of ten or more – or for any questions or concerns contact Tammy at info@bruceleefoundation.org

All profits go to support the Bruce Lee Foundation’s general operating budget and special programs and events. Thank you for your support!

In the spirit of Jeet Kune Do!

The Bruce Lee Foundation
www.bruceleefoundation.org

Bruce Lee goes digital in Japan

2008-05-15T19:34:00.001Z

Asian media giant Star Group has sealed a distribution deal with Japanese online content provider Tsutaya Discas to distribute 20 movies from Star's Fortune Star library via the internet in Japan.

The titles include two of Bruce Lee’s kung-fu classics, Fist of Fury and Way of the Dragon,plus Jackie Chan’s Project A series and the popular A Chinese Ghost Story series.

From today, movie buffs in Japan will be able to watch their favourite Hong Kong classic movies online via Tsutaya Disca's download-to-rent and download-to-own services.

“This agreement marks the first time that our Fortune Star titles will be distributed online in Japan. We look forward to the opportunity of distributing our library to a wider audience globally," said Yvonne Chuang, VP of programme syndication and distribution at Star.

Yip Man Biopics 2009

2008-05-08T08:53:00.001Z

With Tony Leung and Donnie Yen both portraying famous Wing Chun master Yip Man in upcoming biopics and the recent U.S. DVD release of Universe’s highly successful 2007 WING CHUN TV series starring Yuen Biao and Nicholas Tse, the fighting art that gave Bruce Lee his foundation is enjoying a resurgence of popularity.

Donnie Yen in a sneak peak at a promo shot for Wilson Yip’s biopic of Wing Chun Grandmaster YIP MAN, coming in 2009.

Of late, I have been furiously working my way through all 40 episodes of WING CHUN (YONG CHUN, 葉問傳) an excellent martial arts TV drama that premiered last summer. In it, kung fu actor Yuen Biao stars as Leung Jan, the sixth student in direct succession to Wing Chun’s founder, a Shaolin nun named Ng Man. For Yuen, it is a return to a role he first portrayed in Sammo Hung’s kung fu classic THE PRODIGAL SON (1981).

One of the series’ central themes is the slow evolution of conservative martial tradition in a rapidly changing world. Those familiar with the legendary history of Wing Chun know that it was once a closed art passed on to only a very few select students. In the TV series, the initial reasoning for this secrecy is that Ng Man, a survivor of the Manchu purge of China’s southern Shaolin Temple, feared that the Qing government might use the knowledge of confiscated Shaolin kung fu manuals against practitioners. Ng began to develop Wing Chun to counter other Shaolin techniques in the event that future generations might have to battle government forces trained in Shaolin kung fu. She passed this new art on to a female student, Yim Wing-chun, and it was further developed to counter the superior strength of male attackers, a more plausible explanation for its development.

Yuen Biao in WING CHUN (2007).

As Leung Jan, Yuen Biao is wary about who to name as his successor, in part because of his determination to follow tradition and have only one student as instructed by his teacher Wong Wah-bo (Sammo Hung). Yet all around him, China is undergoing great change. The Qing government has passed away and modernization is encroaching on old traditions. To give the story some added dramatic muscle, Jan is at odds with his son Bik (Nicholas Tse) and initially refuses to teach him for fear that the art will be misused, He instead takes on another student, Chan Wah-shun. In real life, Chan would eventually have a few more students, none more famous than Yip Man, the man who first taught the art openly and who has become the subject of Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen’s latest collaboration.

In YIP MAN, a production of Mandarin Films, Donnie Yen portrays the title character while Sammo Hung provides action direction and Yip Man’s son acts as consultant. Hung has been Wing Chun’s most famous advocate in the filmmaking arena ever since he set about directing a pair of Wing Chun films beginning with WARRIORS TWO in 1978 and ending with THE PRODIGAL SON. Although originally a student of Chinese opera, Hung was a huge fan of Bruce Lee and had become fascinated with Lee’s foundation in Wing Chun. Among Yip Man’s many students was Lee, who went on to defy Chinese kung fu traditions entirely and openly teach foreigners.

Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung

It is unusual these days for Yen to turn over action direction to someone else. Like cooks in the kitchen, action directors accustomed to calling the shots during action sequences do not always mix well. Such was the case for the shooting of DRUNKEN MASTER 2 when Lau Kar-leung walked off the production, according to rumor, after having a dispute with Jackie Chan over the finale. However, Hung and Yen apparently struck an amicable working relationship during the shooting of KILL ZONE (aka SPL) when Yen was in charge. As his work in THE PRODIGAL SON and the WING CHUN TV series show, it’s undeniable that Sammo is the right man for the job and Donnie’s performance will undoubtedly benefit from it.

Wilson Yip’s YIP MAN began production in March and is expected to wrap in June. Based on his previous work with Yen, it’s more than likely that his film will be more action-oriented than another Yip Man biopic still in development by filmmaker Wong Kar-wai. Tony Leung, a talented dramatic actor not known for fighting roles has long been attached to play the title role and reportedly has being undergoing Wing Chun training in preparation. In comparing the two films, Wong recently told Chinese media that his film would focus more on a dramatic love story, an element the filmmaker is quite familiar with.

Wing Chun Grandmaster Yip Man pictured with his most famous student Bruce Lee.

Not a whole lot is known about the real Yip Man in the West apart from his public life. He was born October 1st, 1893 in Foshan as Ki Man and began his training in Wing Chun at the age of 13, largely under the tutelage of Chan Wah-shun’s student Ng Chung-sok. After Chan’s death, he also trained under Leung Bik (played by Nicholas Tse in WING CHUN). He attended school in Hong Kong and later became a police officer in Foshan. While there, he informally taught co-workers, friends and relatives. During the Japanese occupation Yip was approached to train Japanese soldiers but refused. In 1949, Yip fled Communist China (no doubt a sensitive issue that both films will try to sidestep) and settled in Hong Kong where he opened his first martial arts school. It was during this time that a young Bruce Lee received three years of training under Yip. In 1967, he and several students established the Hong Kong Ving Tsun Athletic Association. Yip Man died in 1972 from throat cancer.

A report on Wilson Yip’s film at Wenweipo.com suggests that YIP MAN will be another international prestige picture, like FEARLESS, that promotes wushu, or Chinese martial arts and celebrates Chinese patriotism and pride. The timing is right considering the wave of nationalism that has been spreading worldwide in the wake of pro-Tibet protests that have appeared ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

Few martial arts movies have been made that prominently display Wing Chun kung fu. Yuen Wo-ping’s 1994 film WING CHUN, starring Michelle Yeoh, is a fun yet poor representation that favors stock wire-fu action. Chang Cheh and action director Lau Kar-leung added Wing Chun elements to SHAOLIN MARTIAL ARTS (1974) and SHAOLIN TEMPLE (1976). In the latter film, Ti Lung displays his real-life Wing Chun skills, something he would briefly do again years later in Daniel Lee’s STAR RUNNER (2003). Sammo Hung’s WARRIORS TWO and THE PRODIGAL SON were the first serious attempts to depict the real-life Wing Chun heroes and focus squarely on their fighting style.

Leung Kar-yan, Casanova Wong and Sammo Hung in WARRIORS TWO (1978)

In WARRIORS TWO, Leung Kar-yan portrays an elder Leung Jan and Casanova Wong is his pupil Chan Wah-shun, also known as Moneychanger (or Cashier) Wah. Sammo Hung plays another disciple of Jan named Fei Chun.

In revisiting the Wing Chun legend three years later, Hung created a prequel of sorts by casting his old opera schoolmate Yuen Biao as a younger Leung Jan learning Wing Chun for the first time from Leung Yee-tai (Lam Ying-ching), as well as Leung’s master Wong Wah-bo (Sammo Hung).

DESCENDENT OF WING CHUN (1978) was a lesser independent production starring Melvin Wong as Leung Jan and Norman Chu as his student Chan Wah-shun.

Yuen Biao eventually reprised the role of Leung Jan in two different TV series, REAL KUNG FU (2005) for TVB and WING CHUN (2007) for Universe.

In a recent blog on the same topic, Bey Logan mentions an abandoned Yip Man project that would have cast Donnie Yen as Bruce Lee and Stephen Chow as his master, Yip Man. Thankfully it never came to be. Lee was a child when he studied under Yip and although Chow has some Wing Chun training under his belt, I couldn’t see him in such a heavy roll. The focus on this part of Lee’s life would have been interesting but not with that casting.

As far as I know, Wilson Yip’s YIP MAN, scheduled for release in 2009, will be the first movie to detail the life of this Wing Chun master. If Wong Kai-wai’s version which Sammo Hung is rumored to be involved with also gets made, we could end up with an excellent contrasting perspective from two distinct Hong Kong directors on one of the greatest kung fu practitioners of the 20th century.

For further reading see:

Yip Man is no more a legend (Wu-Jing.org)
http://www.wu-jing.org/happenings/archives/369-Yip-Man-is-No-More-A-Legend;-Production-Begins-in-March.html

My Uncle Grandmaster Yip Man (Lo Man Kam Wing Chun)
http://www.lomankamwingchun.com/grandmaster-yip-man.html

The Wing Chun Connection: How Yim Man’s art adds impact to kung fu cinema (Bey Logan’s Blog)
http://www.dragondynasty.com/blog/show/82

Seni Show recap

2008-05-02T10:36:00.003Z

WHEN students from Phoenix Karate Schools and the AMA section of East Coast Karate travelled to London on Sunday for the Seni 08 competition at the Excel, they did not realise how big the event was going to be.

Hundreds of competitors took part in many styles of martial arts over two days with thousands of people attending.

James Allan and Brittany Pipe were entered in the kata sections. James performed a respectable Chung Mu and took third place. Brittany, competing in only her second competition, missed out on a trophy by 0.1 of a point.

Competing in the kumite were James Allan, Dominic Cutter, Philippa Cutter, Frasier Thompson, Latia Suen, Hannah Wheeler-Smith, Charlotte Fisher, Lewis Saunders, Sigourney Nixon and Kallem Howard.

Dominic and Latia were knocked out in the quarter-finals of their individual sections, but teamed up with Frasier and Kallem to take third place in the mixed team event, losing to the eventual winners.

A magnificent day was topped when the wife and daughter of the late and great Bruce Lee arrived to sign autographs and meet the audience. Linda and Shannon Lee spent several hours signing autographs for the enormous crowd that queued patiently to see them.

Among the lucky ones to meet both Linda and Shannon was instructor Vivianne Trorey 2nd Dan who said: “It was a great honour, they are such wonderful people, and they signed a photograph for me and spoke of Bruce with affection.”

Seni Show steps up the pace.....

2008-04-19T08:55:00.002Z

THIS YEAR marks the 35th anniversary of the death of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.

But the memory of 'The Little Dragon' will burn brighter than ever at top combat sports exhibition Seni '08.

The world's leading martial arts expo will showcase a unique Bruce Lee Zone when the exhibition starts at London's Excel Arena on April 26.

It will feature the first Bruce Lee Museum as its centrepiece and personal appearances by some of the people closest to the great man - his widow Linda Lee Caldwell, his daughter Shannon and Richard Bustillo - a personal student of the martial arts great.

When ‘Enter the Dragon’ became a Hollywood blockbuster, the action film genre changed forever and that was largely down to the diminutive Chinese actor.

Despite being small in stature, Lee was big in attitude, and was able to spin, jump and kick his way through villains with lightning speed, balletic grace and an array of martial arts moves the like of which the West had never seen before.

Lee's ‘Gung-Fu’ style became a global phenomena and by the time ‘Enter the Dragon’ was released, he was already an iconic figure.

His untimely death at the age of 32 immortalised him in pop culture alongside such names as Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, and his art of Jeet Kune Do is taught in dojo’s and gyms across the World.

The Bruce Lee Museum will be at the heart of Seni '08 and will feature 35 unique items and 35 unique photos celebrating the life and times of the legendary ‘Little Dragon’

Alongside the museum there will be an hour long Q&A where the panel will be discussing all things Bruce Lee from his Jeet Kune Do, to his personal training regime, philosophy and of course his film career.

TAKY KIMURA THE SEATTLE YEARS COMING SOON...

2008-04-19T08:47:00.003Z

A new book by Taky Kimura is in the offing by all accounts, should be worth waiting for.

Ebay goodies....

2008-04-17T17:25:00.002Z

This is how you do it.....

2008-04-15T19:41:00.005Z

The master of all master's......Bruce Lee.....

The Legend lives on.....

2008-04-15T19:16:00.005Z

Bruce Lee - information and facts

2008-04-07T16:00:00.002Z

Bruce Lee felt that many martial artists of his day did not spend enough time on physical conditioning. Bruce included all elements of total fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. He tried traditional bodybuilding techniques to build bulky muscles or mass. In his book The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, he wrote "Training is one of the most neglected phases of athletics. Too much time is given to the development of skill and too little to the development of the individual for participation." "JKD, ultimately is not a matter of petty techniques but of highly developed spirituality and physique".

The weight training program that Lee used during a stay in Hong Kong in 1965 at only 24 years old placed heavy emphasis on his arms. At that time he could perform bicep curls at a weight of 70 to 80 lbs for three sets of eight repetitions, along with other forms of exercises, such as squats, push-ups, reverse curls, concentration curls, French presses, and both wrist curls and reverse wrist curls. The repetitions he performed were 6 to 12 reps (at the time). While this method of training targeted his fast and slow twitch muscles, it later resulted in weight gain or muscle mass, placing Bruce a little over 165 lbs. Bruce Lee was documented as having well over 2,500 books in his own personal library, and eventually concluded that "A stronger muscle, is a bigger muscle". However, Bruce forever experimented with his training routines to maximize his physical abilities. He employed many different routines and exercises, which effectively served his training and bodybuilding purposes.

Lee believed that the abdominal muscles were one of the most important muscle groups for a martial artist, since virtually every movement requires some degree of abdominal work. Perhaps more importantly, the "abs" are like a shell, protecting the ribs and vital organs.
He trained from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., including stomach, flexibility, and running, and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. he would weight train and cyce. A typical exercise for Lee would be to run a distance of two to six miles in 15 to 45 minutes, in which he would vary speed in 3-5 minute intervals. Lee would then ride his stationary bicycle for 30-45 minutes at full speed immediately after running. Next, Lee would do some skipping rope for 800 jumps non-stop.

Nutrition
According to Linda Lee, soon after he moved to the United States, Bruce Lee started to take nutrition seriously and developed an interest in health foods, high-protein drinks and vitamin and mineral supplements. Bruce later realized that in order to achieve a high-performance body, you could not fuel it with a diet of junk food. With the wrong fuel, your body's performance would become sluggish or sloppy. Lee's diet included protein drinks; he always tried to consume one or two daily.

Linda recalls Bruce's waist fluctuated between 26 and 28 inches. "He also drank his own juice concoctions made from vegetables and fruits, apples, celery, carrots and so on, prepared in an electric blender". He consumed large amount of green vegetables, fruits, and fresh milk everyday. Bruce always preferred to eat Chinese or other Asian food because he loved the variety that it had.

Philosophy
Although Bruce Lee is best known as a martial artist and actor, Lee majored in philosophy at the University of Washington. Lee's books on martial arts and fighting philosophy are well-known both for their philosophical assertions both inside and outside of martial arts circles. His philosophy often mirrored his fighting beliefs, though he was quick to claim that his martial arts were solely a metaphor for such teachings. His influences include Taoism and Buddhism.
The following are some of Bruce Lee's quotes that reflect his fighting

philosophy.
"If I tell you I'm good, you would probably think I'm boasting. If I tell you I'm no good, you know I'm lying."

"Fighting is not something sought after, yet it is something that seeks you."

"Be formless... shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, and it can crash. Be like water, my friend..."

"Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it."

"The more relaxed the muscles are, the more energy can flow through the body. Using muscular tensions to try to 'do' the punch or attempting to use brute force to knock someone over will only work to opposite effect."

"Mere technical knowledge is only the beginning of Kung Fu. To master it, one must enter into the spirit of it."

"There are lots of guys around the world that are lazy. They have big fat guts. They talk about chi power and things they can do, but don't believe it."

"I'm not a master. I'm a student-master, meaning that I have the knowledge of a master and the expertise of a master, but I'm still learning. So I'm a student-master. I don't believe in the word 'master.' I consider the master as such when they close the casket."

"Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there."

"Jeet Kune Do: it's just a name; don't fuss over it. There's no such thing as a style if you understand the roots of combat."

"Unfortunately, now in boxing people are only allowed to punch. In Judo, people are only allowed to throw. I do not despise these kinds of martial arts. What I mean is, we now find rigid forms which create differences among clans, and the world of martial art is shattered as a result."

"I think the high state of martial art, in application, must have no absolute form. And, to tackle pattern A with pattern B may not be absolutely correct."

"True observation begins when one is devoid of set patterns."

"The other weakness is, when clans are formed, the people of a clan will hold their kind of martial art as the only truth and do not dare to reform or improve it. Thus they are confined in their own tiny little world. Their students become machines which imitate martial art forms."

"Some people are tall; some are short. Some are stout; some are slim. There are various different kinds of people. If all of them learn the same martial art form, then who does it fit?"

"Ultimately, martial art means honestly expressing yourself. It is easy for me to put on a show and be cocky so I can show you some really fancy movement. But to express oneself honestly, not lying to oneself, and to express myself honestly enough; that my friend is very hard to do."

"Using no way as way; Having no limitation as limitation."

Death by "misadventure"

On July 20, 1973, Lee was in Hong Kong, due to have dinner with former James Bond star George Lazenby, with whom he intended to make a film. According to Lee's wife Linda, Lee met producer Raymond Chow at 2 p.m. at home to discuss the making of the movie Game of Death. They worked until 4 p.m. and then drove together to the home of Lee's colleague Betty Ting Pei, a Taiwanese actress who was to have a leading role in the film. The three went over the script at her home, and then Chow left to attend a dinner meeting.

A short time later, Lee complained of a headache, and Ting Pei gave him an analgesic. At around 7:30 p.m., he laid down for a nap. After Lee did not turn up for dinner, Chow came to the apartment but could not wake Lee up. A doctor was summoned, who spent ten minutes attempting to revive him before sending him by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. However, Lee was dead by the time he reached the hospital. There was no visible external injury; however, his brain had swollen considerably, from 1,400 to 1,575 grams (a 13% increase). Lee was thirty-two years old. On October 15, 2005, Chow stated in an interview that Lee was allergic to Equagesic. When the doctors announced Bruce Lee's death officially, it was coined as "Death by Misadventure."
Another theory is that he died from an allergic reaction to marijuana, which he was consuming at the time in hashish form.This is controversial, but it is confirmed that the coroner did find traces of the substance during his autopsy.
However, the exact details of Lee's death are controversial. Bruce Lee's iconic status and unusual death at a young age led many people to develop many theories about his death. Such theories about his death included murder involving the triads, a curse on Lee and his family, etc. The theory of the curse carried over to Lee's son Brandon Lee, also an actor, who died 20 years after his father in a bizarre accident while filming The Crow.

Chasing the Dragon! Everything you wanted to know about Bruce Lee.

2008-04-07T07:20:00.002Z

Chasing the Dragon! Everything you wanted to know about Bruce Lee.
One of the most exciting and eagerly-anticipated elements of Seni08 is the ground-breaking Bruce Lee Q&A session with the leading figures in Bruce Lee’s life. At 12.00 on both the Saturday and Sunday luminaries such as Linda and Shannon Lee, alongside martial artists such as Bob Wall, Richard Bustillo and Tim Tackett will spend an hour answering questions on the life and art of the legendary Bruce Lee. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get an insight into the real life of ‘The Little Dragon’ from those who knew him best.

Bruce Lee Foundation seminar programme announced
There have never been so many workshops to choose from at Seni as there are this year! First up we have the Bruce Lee Foundation workshops featuring the very best instructors from the JKD community, as endorsed by the foundation itself. The schedule is as follows-Sat. - 10:30 - 12:30 - Yori Nakamura. Sat. - 1:00 - 3:00 - Tim Tackett (with Kwoklyn Wan ), Sat. - 3:30 - 5:30 - Tommy Gong (with Tommy Caruthers ), Sun. - 10:30 - 12:30 – Richard Bustillo, Sun. - 1:00 - 3:00 - Yori Nakamura , Sun. - 3:30 - 5:30 - Tim Tackett (with Kwoklyn Wan). Each session is £30 (fees go direct to the Foundation charity) and includes the participants entry into Seni08. To book CLICK HERE

Information from Seni web site.

Bruce Lee Books

2008-04-06T15:48:00.004Z

The first ever Bruce Lee Foundation Poster magazine. Officially endorsed by Concord Moon LP, this has been created by David Tadman and Steve Kerridge and will be unveiled at the SENI event. This is a limited edition of 1000.

A new Bruce Lee book by Steve Kerridge is now out, also in hardback. A must for all Bruce Lee fans.

The first book in the three volume book set "BRUCE LEE; Legends of the Dragon Vol. 1" by Steve Kerridge is set to be released in January 2008 by Tao Publishing in England and will be available world wide.

For more details or advanced orders contact:

Tao Publishing
Unit 1, Blenheim Court,
Brownfields,
Welwyn Garden City
Herts, AL7 1AD
United Kingdom

Bruce Lee - Profile of a Martial Artist

2008-04-06T13:38:00.003Z

In another time, in another place... an epic adventure is about to unfold.

In October 1997, Bruce Lee was ranked #100 in Empire (UK) magazine's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list.

Quick facts on The Master

Lee Jun Fan - Date of birth - 27 November 1940, San Francisco, California, USA. Lee Jun Fan - Date of death - 20 July 1973, Hong Kong. (brain 0dema) Credited As: Little Dragon Lee - Siu-Lung Lee - Xiaolong Li.

Bruce Lee Jun Fan Yuen Kam (Bruce Lee's full birth name) was born in the year of the dragon (1940), at the hour of the dragon (between 6:00AM-8:00AM).Height 5' 7" - Spouse Linda Lee Cadwell (17 August 1964 - 20 July 1973) (his death)

Father of Brandon Lee. Died of brain edema in Hong Kong at age 32. He is considered the greatest martial artist of the 20th century.
Developed his martial art style called Jeet Kune Do (Way of the Intercepting Fist) which is more of an idea of being flexible and practical with learning martial arts.
Father of Shannon Lee.
A philosophy major who graduated from the University of Washington, Lee entered show business in the mid 1960s, achieving recognition as Kato, devoted sidekick to "The Green Hornet" in the 1966 TV series designed to capitalize on the wild popularity of the "Batman" show.
Salary for The "Green Hornet, (1966) $400/episode. While the "The Green Hornet" TV series was in production, Bruce made several promotional appearances as Kato, but made a point to never do the standard martial art stunts like breaking boards which he felt had nothing to do with what the martial arts are about.
Bruce Lee was the ultimate Martial-arts expert of Chinese descent and virtual deity to a legion of enthusiasts the world over.

He supervised the martial-arts stunts in The Wrecking Crew and Marlowe (both 1969), also appearing in the latter, before starring in his own action vehicles Big Boss (1971),Fist of Fury and Way of the Dragon (1972) and Enter the Dragon (1973) . His acting, some would say, was negligible, but his athletic skills seemed almost superhuman, and he practically defined the fledgling martial-arts movie genre. The circumstances surrounding Lee's death just one year after his starring debut were somewhat mysterious (he was only 32), and helped transform him into a cult figure. Three "Green Hornet" episodes were edited into a feature to capitalize on his popularity (Kato and the Green Hornet 1974), (The 1978 release The Silent Flute was based on a story he had written with James Coburn.)
Game of Death released in 1978 was a hotch potch of look alikes and bad doubles. The release of the real Game of Death in the 1990s was excellent. Over 42 minutes of footage as Bruce would have wanted. Actor Jason Scott Lee (no relation) starred in a 1993 screen biography, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

His son Brandon Lee launched his own film career in the 1990s, but died in a tragic accident during production of The Crow in 1993.

Both are interred at Lake View Cemetery, Seattle, Washington, USA.

The best Bruce Lee books to read.

2008-04-06T13:31:00.002Z

Best Books To Read

The Legend of Bruce Lee (1974) Alex Ben Block.
Tao of Jeet Kune Do compiled from Bruce's notes and published posthumously after his death.
The Fist That Shook The World: The Cinema Of Bruce Lee, by Lou Gaul; Midnight Marquee Press, Inc. 1997, Baltimore MD. 800-886-0313.
Jack Vaughn, Mike Lee. _The Legendary Bruce Lee._ Burbank, CA: Ohara Publications, 1986.
Linda Lee. _Bruce Lee: The Man Only I Knew._ New York: Warner Books, 1975.
Linda Lee. _The Life and Tragic Death of Bruce Lee._ London, England: Star Books, 1975.
Linda Lee, with Tom Bleecker. _The Bruce Lee Story._ Burbank, CA: Ohara Publications, 1989.
Ed Gross. _Bruce Lee: Fists of Fury._ Las Vegas, NV: Pioneer Books, 1990.
_Bruce Lee: His Life in Pictures._ Burbank, CA: Unique Publications, 1988.
_Bruce Lee: The Untold Story._ Burbank, CA: Unique Publications, 1986.
Alex Ben Block. _The Legend of Bruce Lee._ St. Albans, England: Mayflower Books, 1974.
Dennis Felix, Dan Atyeo. _Bruce Lee: King of Kung Fu._ London, England: Wildwood House, 1974.
Dan Inosanto, Alan Sutton. _Jeet Kune Do: The Art and Philosophy of Bruce Lee._ Los Angeles: Know Now Publishing, 1980.
Bruce Thomas. _Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit._ Berkeley, CA: Frog, Ltd., 1994.

Bruce Thomas. _Bruce Lee: Fighting Talk. 2003.
Robert Clouse. _Bruce Lee: The Biography._ Burbank, CA: Unique Books, 1988.
Intercepting Fist by Jack Hunter Glitter Books 1999.

Bruce Lee - Profile of a Martial Artist

2008-04-06T10:56:00.001Z

Bruce Lee - Profile of a Martial Artist

Name:	Bruce Lee (Chinese name Lee Jun Fan)
Credits:	Creator of Jeet Kune Do
	Actor in many movies and TV shows
	Author, Script Writer, Director, Choreographer
	Master – Wing Chun Gung Fu
	Winner of many competitions

No Martial Arts discussion would ever be complete without speaking about Bruce Lee. He is a symbol held in high regard as to what a modern Martial Artist should embody. His life is as dynamic and explosive as his Martial Arts.

Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco’s Chinatown in 1940, the year of the dragon, during the hour of the dragon. In Chinese astrology, this is a good omen for someone who will come to change the world. He is the fourth out of five children to Lee Hoi Chuen and Grace Ho, who were in the United States at that time on a tour with the Chinese Opera. He was known to his family as “Sai Fon”, a Chinese superstition which believed using a female nickname would trick evil spirits into thinking he was a girl and thus avoid taking him. He was given the name Bruce by a nurse in the San Francisco hospital but did not begin to use it until he entered secondary school.

The family returned to Hong Kong after Lee’s birth, where Bruce grew up. During this period of time, China was a land in turmoil. The Japanese occupied much of China during World War II and then after the war Hong Kong reverted to British control.

The long journey back across the ocean may have been too hard on the three-month old, as Bruce was a weak child. Thus, at the age of 13, Bruce began to study Martial Arts under the instructions of Master Yip Man of Wing Chun Gung Fu. In addition to Martial Arts, Bruce was an accomplished dancer and actor before he made his fame in the United States. In fact, Bruce first appeared in one of his father’s movies as a baby in Lee Hoi Chuen’s arms. By the time Bruce reached the age of 18, he had already appeared in 20 films. However, acting was not his original course in life.

While Bruce Lee pursued dancing, Martial Arts, and acting with hard work and discipline, his academic studies were not as strong. In hopes to change this, his parents sent him back to the United States to finish his studies. In fact, he did finish his high school and pursued a degree in philosophy from University of Washington, where he would meet his future wife, Linda. Coming from a British-training background, his writing was strong and many of his papers reflected the Eastern and Martial Arts influence in his thinking.

He opened a school and began teaching as a means to support himself, eventually it became his career. He first taught gung fu in a time when the only style existing in American vocabulary was Judo. And he allowed non-Chinese into his school, something frowned upon by many traditionalist at the time. Defending this decision led him to a confrontation with another master that changed Bruce’s view of Wing Chun and traditional Martial Arts. Although Bruce won the fight, he was disappointed in his performance and it is said this is where he started to form the ideas of Jeet Kune Do.

In 1964, Bruce demonstrated his techniques at the First International Karate Tournament in Long Beach, California held by Ed Parker. By fate, this demonstration brought Bruce back into the acting world. He had many supporting actor roles in various movies and TV shows. During this time, he continued to refine his Martial Arts skills and build on his schools.

However, Hollywood did not believe the American audience was ready for an Asian lead actor. On a trip back to Hong Kong, Bruce discovered he had a growing fan base in that country. Using his notoriety in Hong Kong, he signed a contract to work on movies there in hopes it would clear a path back to Hollywood. Bruce not only starred, but also wrote, directed, and choreographed many of his movies.

Hollywood finally responded. Bruce orchestrated a joint production with Warner Bros on the movie “Enter the Dragon”. Unfortunately, Bruce would never get to see his hard work on the silver screen as he died July 20, 1973 after complaining about a headache. The movie released after his death and was a box office hit, opening the door for many others to follow.

Bruce Lee left behind a legacy that changed Martial Arts. He had exposed the world to different styles of Martial Arts and the acceptance of a variety of students. He supplemented his Martial Arts training with regiments in fitness, bodybuilding, and nutrition, all of which are echoed in many of today’s Martial Arts training programs. His writings, philosophies and books are applicable to many walks of life, not just Martial Arts and not just Jeet Kune Do. He was compassionate, helping those less fortunate as he could.

Perhaps the easiest way to sum it up is he defined Martial Arts for the twentieth century and beyond.

Re-enter the Dragon

2008-04-06T10:52:00.002Z

The martial arts legend explodes back on the pop cultural landscape with a miniseries, theme park and even a Broadway show devoted to him.

It's been more than three decades since Lee fell into a sudden coma and died at age 32, just before the release of his first Hollywood production Enter the Dragon (1973). Though he was already a star in Asia by then, it was this movie that ushered in a kung fu craze and gave the West its first Asian action hero.

Lee paved the way for Asian stars (Jackie Chan, Jet Li) to break through to the West and his unique fighting style – a self-developed combo of kung fu, boxing, and grappling – provided a blueprint for the mixed-martial arts exemplified by the increasingly popular Ultimate Fighting Championship matches.

For these reasons, Lee remains a prominent icon. But his daughter Shannon Lee-Keasler feels his popularity is regaining momentum as several projects will introduce Bruce Lee to a new generation over the next few years. Though Lee-Keasler couldn't go into details, an animated series and some musical short films are under development. A Broadway musical based on Lee's life, featuring music penned by Tony award-nominee David Yazbek (The Full Monty), is expected to open in 2009.

Even a theme park is being built in southeast China, which will include a martial arts academy and a memorial hall.

"I do think it's a good time," Lee-Keasler said recently over the phone from her Los Angeles home.

"A lot of people in Hollywood and the film industry have been wanting to do productions with the Chinese government. But also with the Olympics and the spotlight of the world being on China this summer, in general, I really feel there's just a resurgence of interest in my father."

Lee's re-emerging profile and the Beijing Olympics go hand-in-hand – China Central Television (CCTV), the official state TV network, will broadcast a 50-part series chronicling Lee's life to coincide with the Olympics.

The Legend of Bruce Lee is being filmed in China, Hong Kong and the U.S. and features an international cast. Lee-Keasler, who is an executive producer of the project, says CCTV will distribute the series worldwide this summer to promote Chinese culture.

In many ways, Lee is a perfect emblem for the Beijing games. Despite his unremarkable five-foot-seven stature, he truly was an athletic specimen – his unmatched speed and agility allowed him to perform those dazzling moves, while his wiry, chiselled physique drew admiration from Schwarzenegger himself.

His status as an internationally recognized Chinese star also fits, although his connection to the host country is perhaps a stretch.

As Lee-Keasler notes, Lee was born in San Francisco, grew up in Hong Kong during British governance and never lived in mainland China.

"Quite honestly, I don't think my father was quite keen on the communist government in China," she says. "I think it is quite interesting the Chinese government has sort of grabbed hold of him as a symbol, but at the same time it's understandable."

Lee-Keasler says she didn't fully realize her father's popularity in China until representatives of CCTV approached her for The Legend of Bruce Lee.

She remembers one executive telling her he believed "there are two Chinese people beloved by the Chinese throughout the world, and that is Confucius and Bruce Lee. He said to me that he really feels it's their duty his legacy lives on."

Chinese kung fu, or wushu, is China's national sport and is deeply imbedded into the country's heritage and mythology. Beijing even unsuccessfully lobbied the Olympic committee to include wushu as an event in this summer's games.

But China's love affair with Lee may also stem from how he fought to change perception of the Chinese in the West.

Before Lee, Chinese males were largely portrayed in Hollywood films as docile, bumbling servant-types or evil genius villains like Fu Manchu. According to Lee biographer Bruce Thomas, his onscreen heroics "broke through the limits of the Chinese stereotype in the Western world and remade the image of the Asian man."

Thomas, who will publish a revised biography this spring, says as much as Lee was a Chinese hero, he bridged cultures by teaching kung fu to westerners despite being forbidden to do so by Chinese elders. He also defied social convention by marrying Lee-Keasler's mother, Linda, his former student and a non-Asian.

"There are times I looked at his journey and went, `Oh, it must have been so lonely,'" says Keira Loughran, an actor and playwright from Toronto who wrote and starred in Little Dragon, a play about a Chinese-Canadian girl who explores her identity through studying Bruce Lee.

She says his struggle between two cultures epitomizes the "classic Canadian experience, especially as a visible minority."

"I wasn't one of those kids who grew up with Bruce Lee so I learned everything about him through my research – about how much he had to fight within in his own culture, but also how much he wanted to unite everybody."

It was Lee's spirit that captivated Loughran, which is exactly why Lee-Keasler believes her father will continue to win new fans.

"My hope is that, 30 years from now, he will still be around and making an impact," Lee-Keasler says.

"He was just this amazing ball of energy that people can still feel and be inspired by."

There remains the intriguing possibility of using computer-generated effects to bring Lee back to the big screen.

In fact, two recent projects – one by a Korean film company and one helmed by Hollywood director Rob Cohen (who did the highly dramatized 1993 Lee biopic Dragon) – aimed to create a photo-realistic version of Lee, which would have made him the first digitally reanimated actor in a film.

This would have allowed the filmmakers to finally recreate Lee's unique fighting style, something human actors have struggled to mimic effectively.

Lee-Keasler, who is a managing partner of the company that controls the rights to Lee's image, says while the potential for this kind of film exists, both projects have been shut down.

"On the one hand I'm intrigued, but on the other hand, I think it has to be really thought through and done well," she says. "I haven't yet come across a project with all the right elements lined up."

Unlike some other famous tough guys, Bruce Lee can't make a comeback to cement his hero status.

Then again, he never really needed to.

Bruce and Brandon remembered.....

2008-04-06T10:39:00.004Z

Bruce Lee’s “Enter the Dragon” and Brandon Lee’s “The Crow” found broader audiences beyond action crowds because of their deaths. Singer Aaliyah’s “Queen of the Damned” overcame bad reviews to become a modest commercial success.

Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon (1973). Martial arts king Bruce Lee died unexpectedly (age: 32) six days before his biggest film, Enter the Dragon, hit North American theatres and went straight to No. 1 at the box office. It remains the biggest and best example of Lee's franchise-ready talent, and remains a touchstone of 1970s cinema.

Brandon Lee, The Crow (1994). Lee's only son, Brandon, died under similarly shady circumstances, which has led some to theorize about a Lee family curse. Brandon Lee's final film role was as a dead musician avenging his death, further adding to the circumstances surrounding his accidental death, which occurred during the final days of filming for The Crow.

The Trailer from the below post.

2008-04-06T10:35:00.000Z

2008-04-06T10:33:00.001Z

A six-minute trailer for China Central Television’s (CCTV) upcoming Bruce Lee biopic miniseries, THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE, has landed on Youtube. Footage shows KUNG FU HUSTLE star Chan Kwok-kwan and a familiar cast of Western genre talent including Mark Dacascos fighting with exaggerated direction certain to cause controversy among Bruce Lee fans.

I’d say they put the show’s $6.4 million budget to good use. Production look very good by Chinese television standards and as an action series in general, it actually looks promising. What may draw the most heat from fans is what appears to be highly stylized action that makes liberal use of wirework to enhance Chan’s physical performance.

Like Lee, Chan has a background in dance but not in martial arts. He’s been training to some extent at least as far back as when Stephen Chow cast him as a Bruce Lee look-a-like goalie in SHAOLIN SOCCER (2001). Chan may be relying on artifice for his screen fighting but he needs no help in looking the part. There have been dozens of actors who have been cast in the mold of Bruce Lee, even superstars Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen have taken their turn. I’d wager that Chan Kwok-kwan has nearly all of them beat on looks.

The 40-episode series is the latest attempt, among many since Bruce Lee’s death in 1973, to dramatize his life on screen. In addition to featuring Dacascos, who plays a Thai fighter, the cast includes Ray Park (STAR WARS 1 - THE PHANTOM MENACE) as Chuck Norris, Michael Jai White (UNDISPUTED 2) as Ali, prolific B-movie star Gary Daniels (CITY HUNTER), and former pro-wrestler Ernest “The Cat” Miller.

At first glance, I thought Dacascos might have been playing Dan Inosanto but I guess a nameless Tony Jaa-like character was their aim. A potentially good casting choice is White who I presume to be Mohammad Ali. White gave a solid performance as a heavyweight boxer in UNDISPUTED 2.

THE LEGEND OF BRUCE LEE began production in April of 2007 and is scheduled to begin airing in China later this year, in time for the Beijing Olympics.

Mandarin brings Bruce Lee's kung-fu master to big screen

2008-04-06T10:29:00.001Z

Hong Kong's Mandarin Films is producing a biopic of Ip Man, the kung-fu master of global superstar Bruce Lee, which is set to star Donnie Yen and Simon Yam.

Wilson Yip is directing the film which is currently in pre-production, with Sammo Hung as action director. Yip and Yen previously collaborated on martial arts action dramas Flash Point and Dragon Tiger Gate, which both scored substantial box office and overseas sales.

Yen will play Ip Man and has been training for several months in wing chun, the style of kung fu of which Ip was a master. Mainland Chinese model Lynn Hung is being lined up to make her big-screen debut playing his wife.

Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai is also developing an Ip Man biopic which is set to star Tony Leung Chiu-wai, although the film is not expected to go into production until later this year.

Wong is currently working on a re-mastered verison of his acclaimed 1994 martial arts epic Ashes Of Time.

Mandarin is also selling Tsui Hark's romantic drama Missing, starring Isabella Leong, Angelica Lee and Chang Chan, and 30-episode TV series The Theatre, directed by Clifton Ko and starring Korean singer Park Ji-joon and Taiwanese idol Vanness Wu.

Funniest of the funny kung fu flicks

2008-04-06T10:26:00.000Z

Jackie Chan is the undisputed sensei - master - of kung fu comedies. He practically invented the genre back in 1978 and has been kicking butt ever since. Chan's "The Forbidden Kingdom" (co-starring Jet Li) comes out this month and he lends a voice to Jack Black’s animated "Kung Fu Panda," opening June 6. Another kung fu comedy, "The Foot Fist Way," about a tae kwon do instructor who goes on a pilgrimage to meet his martial arts hero, is also out this summer. Here's the best of the comedies that kick, punch and scream out "hi-yaaah!" in between one-liners.

KUNG FU HUSTLE (2004)

Kick: Sing (played by co-writer and director Stephen Chow) desperately wants to be a gangster, but stumbles onto a housing complex where the obnoxious landlady and mild-seeming residents are in fact kung fu masters in disguise.

Punch (line): Chow proved himself the heir-apparent to Chan with this visually stunning, over-the-top comic tour de force filled with hilarious sight gags, unlikely combatants and exciting action.

DRUNKEN MASTER (1978)

Kick: Jackie Chan's breakthrough featured him as an unruly student who is taught "The Eight Drunken Immortals" fighting styles, but only practices seven because he thinks the "Drunken Miss Ho" is too unmanly. Big mistake.

Punch (line): The movie was a roaring success that made Chan a star and rescued kung fu movies from self-importance.

SHAOLIN SOCCER (2001)

Kick: A ragtag group of shaolin kung fu experts - with names like Iron Head, Hooking Leg and Empty Hand - join forces on a soccer team to defeat Team Evil and promote the practice of shaolin far and wide.

Punch (line): The joke was on this Stephen Chow movie, which was a huge success everywhere else but was chopped up and dumped by Miramax for its U.S. release.

THEY CALL ME BRUCE? (1982)

Kick: Everyone loves Bruce Lee, but you wouldn't want to be confused with actually being Bruce Lee. Getting beat up constantly so other people can boast they kicked Lee's butt is no fun.

Punch (line): It proved that musician Rick Springfield was way off base for complaining that people confused him with Springsteen. What's the worst that could happen? They'd demand you sing "Born to Run"?

RUSH HOUR (1998)

Kick: Jackie Chan is a fish out of water as a strait-laced Hong Kong detective coming to America to rescue a diplomat's daughter, defeat the evil mastermind and endure the rule-bending lunacy of Chris Tucker.

Punch (line): Low on action stunts but high on comedy and charm, this was the perfect vehicle to make Chan a star in the West once and for all.

Jeet Kune Do

2005-12-24T08:47:00.000Z

Bruce Lee's own style of fighting was called Jeet Kune Do, this style was taken from the best methods from all the other schools.

JEET KUNE DO PRINCIPALS

Jeet Kune Do shares a lot of its principals with other arts. Those who study Wing Chun will see a lot of things taken directly from it. It has borrowed a lot things from other arts such as footwork from both fencing and boxing, grappling from Judo and so on, but has a lot of unique perspectives of its own. Jeet Kune Do also emphasizes being physically fit, but most of all, the number one rule of Jeet Kune Do is to use whatever works.

ECONOMY OF MOTION

Economy of motion means that you use no wasted movement. That is to say, you make only the motions that are effective and necessary. Do not over extend, or follow through to far after a punch, it will leave you open. If you are able to retract quicker you can attack again quicker, or be ready to defend.

CENTER LINE THEORY

The center line refers to an imaginary line running down the center of ones body. The idea is to exploit, control and dominate your opponent's centerline. All attacks, defenses and footwork are designed to preserve your own center line and open your opponent's.

Three basic rules are:
The one who controls the center line will control the fight.
Protect and maintain your own centerline while you control and exploit your opponent's.
Control the center line by occupying it.

THEORY OF FACING

The idea is to always face your opponent's center line. This does not mean that you have to be facing face to face. If you use some footwork or maybe a little trapping hands, you may end up facing his right or left side, or even better his back (Don't count on this one, but it's nice!) Now you are facing your opponent's central line, but he is not facing yours!

IMMOVABLE ELBOW THEORY

This is the idea that you WILL NOT compromise the space between your arms and your body when somebody is pressing an attack. If they successfully pin your arms against you then you have lost a lot of options. So when in trapping always keep about six inches between your elbow and your body.

YOUR OPPONENT DICTATES YOUR ACTIONS

Not all the time. What I mean is, don't go into a situation thinking, "I'm gonna do this, and then this, and finish him with this.", because it will never happen right. Respond to what your opponent does. If he keeps moving in, either move back, change your line of attack (e.g. sidestepping) or stop him in his tracks but it will be different each time.

DON'T PLAY NICE

A lot of arts say no hitting the groin or throat because it hurts, or there is a potential for injury. JKD is not a sport. IF you NEED to use it, use it and don't hold back, especially if it's your life your dealing with. HOWEVER, in training always respect your partner and wear the appropriate equipment.

BE SIMPLE

It's great to know a lot of techniques that are difficult or to know many that flow together, because you never know when you will need them. BUT, it is always best to use simple techniques and the lesser the number of techniques the better. Why dance around and look good when a straight jab to the face is easier?

BE HEALTHY

Exercise and eat right. You know the drill. Just be healthy and happy, it will improve more than just your martial arts!
Bruce once explained this on Hong Kong television. 'There are lots of places on the human body which are obvious spots to attack such as the head or the stomach - but if you aim for somewhere unexpected, then your opponent can't defend themselves in time'.
The main kicks Bruce used to destroy opponents often twice his size were the Groin kick, the Front Through the Heart kick, the Shovel Leg kick and the Tiger Tail kick. With his fists he used the Cranes Beak, the Snake Strike, the Tiger Claw and the Dragons Head. His stances included the Deer, the Bird and the Monkey.
He wrote many articles and books on his favourite subject, this one was taken from Black Belt Magazine, September 1971.

LIBERATE YOURSELF FROM CLASSICAL KARATE
by Bruce Lee

HE TEACHES AND EXPLAINS WHAT IS JEET KUNE DO

I am the first to admit that any attempt to crystalize Jeet Kune Do into a written article is no easy task. Perhaps to avoid making a 'thing' out of a 'process'. I have not until now personally written an article on JKD. Indeed, it is difficult to explain what Jeet Kune Do is, although it may be easier to explain what it is not.
Let me begin with a Zen story. The story might be familiar to some, but I repeat it for it's appropriateness. Look upon this story as a means of limbering up one's senses, one's attitude and one's mind to make them pliable and receptive. You need that to understand this article, otherwise you might as well forget reading any further.
A learned man once went to a Zen teacher to inquire about Zen. As the Zen teacher explained, the learned man would frequently interrupt him with remarks like, "Oh, yes, we have that too...." and so on.
Finally the Zen teacher stopped talking and began to serve tea to the learned man. He poured the cup full, and then kept pouring until the cup overflowed.
"Enough!" the learned man once more interrupted. "No more can go into the cup!"
"Indeed, I see," answered the Zen teacher. "If you do not first empty the cup, how can you taste my cup of tea?"
I hope my comrades in the martial arts will read the following paragraphs with open-mindedness leaving all the burdens of preconceived opinions and conclusions behind. This act, by the way, has in itself liberating power. After all, the usefulness of the cup is in it's emptiness.
Make this article relate to yourself, because though it is on JKD, it is primarily concerned with the blossoming of a martial artist---not a "Chinese" martial artist, a "Japanese" martial artist, etc. A martial artist is a human being first. Just as nationalities have nothing to do with one's humanity, so they have nothing to do with martial arts. Leave your protective shell of isolation and relate 'directly' to what is being said. Return to your senses by ceasing all the intervening intellectual mumbo jumbo. Remember that life is a constant process of relating. Remember too, that I seek neither your approval nor to influence you towards my way of thinking. I will be more than satisfied if, as a result of this article, you begin to investigate everything for yourself and cease to uncritically accept prescribed formulas that dictate "this is this" and "that is that".

ON CHOICELESS OBSERVATION

Suppose several persons who are trained in different styles of combative arts witness an all out street fight. I am sure that we would hear different versions from each of these stylists. This is quite understandable for one cannot see a fight (or anything else) "as is" as long as he is blinded by his chosen point of view, i.e. style, and he will view the fight through the lens of his particular conditioning. Fighting, "as is," is simple and total. It is not limited to your perspective conditioning as a Chinese martial artist. True observation begins when one sheds set patterns and true freedom of expression occurs when one is beyond systems.
Before we examine Jeet Kune Do, let's consider exactly what a "classical" martial art style really is. To begin with, we must recognize the incontrovertible fact that regardless of their many colorful origins (by a wise, mysterious monk, by a special messenger in a dream, in a holy revelation, etc.) styles are created by men. A style should never be considered gospel truth, the laws and principles of which can never be violated. Man, the living, creating individual, is always more important than any established style.
It is conceivable that a long time ago a certain martial artist discovered some partial truth. During his lifetime, the man resisted the temptation to organize this partial truth, although this is a common tendency in a man's search for security and certainty in life. After his death, his students took "his" hypotheses, "his" postulates, "his" method and turned them into law. Impressive creeds were then invented, solemn reinforcing ceremonies prescribed, rigid philosophy and patterns formulated, and son on, until finally an institution was erected. So, what originated as one man's intuition of some sort of personal fluidity has been transformed into solidified, fixed knowledge, complete with organized classified responses presented in a logical order. In so doing, the well-meaning, loyal followers have not only made this knowledge a holy shrine, but also a tomb in which they have buried the founder's wisdom.
But distortion does not necessarily end here. In reaction to "the other truth," another martial artist, or possible a dissatisfied disciple, organizes an opposite approach--such as the "soft" style versus the "hard" style, the "internal" school versus the "external" school, and all these separate nonsenses. Soon this opposite faction also becomes a large organization, with its own laws and patterns. A rivalry begins, with each style claiming to possess the "truth" to the exclusions of all others.
At best, styles are merely parts dissected from a unitary whole. All styles require adjustment, partiality, denials, condemnation and a lot of self- justification. The solutions they purport to provide are the very cause of the problem, because they limit and interfere with our natural growth and obstruct the way to genuine understanding. Divisive by nature, styles keep men 'apart' from each other rather than 'unite' them.

TRUTH CANNOT BE STRUCTURED OR DEFINED

One cannot express himself fully when imprisoned by a confining style. Combat "as is" is total, and it includes all the "is" as well as "is not," without favorite lines or angles. Lacking boundaries, combat is always fresh, alive and constantly changing. Your particular style, your personal inclinations and your physical makeup are all 'parts' of combat, but they do not constitute the 'whole' of combat. Should your responses become dependent upon any single part, you will react in terms of what "should be" rather than to the reality of the ever-changing "what is." Remember that while the whole is evidenced in all its parts, an isolated part, efficient or not, does not constitute the whole.
Prolonged repetitious drillings will certainly yield mechanical precision and security of that kind comes from any routine. However, it is exactly this kind of "selective" security or "crutch" which limits or blocks the total growth of a martial artist. In fact, quite a few practitioners develop such a liking for and dependence on their "crutch" that they can no longer walk without it. Thus, anyone special technique, however cleverly designed is actually a hinderance.
Let it be understood once and for all that I have NOT invented a new style, composite, or modification. I have in no way set Jeet Kune Do within a distinct form governed by laws that distinguish it from "this" style or "that" method. On the contrary, I hope to free my comrades from bondage to styles, patterns and doctrines.
What, then, is Jeet Kune Do? Literally, "jeet" means to intercept or to stop; "kune" is the fist; and "do" is the way, the ultimate reality---the way of the intercepting fist. Do remember, however, that "Jeet Kune Do" is merely a convenient name. I am not interested with the term itself; I am interested in its effect of liberation when JKD is used as a mirror for self-examination.
Unlike a "classical" martial art, there is no series of rules or classification of technique that constitutes a distinct "Jeet Kune Do" method of fighting. JKD is not a form of special conditioning with its own rigid philosophy. It looks at combat not from a single angle, but from all possible angles. While JKD utilizes all the ways and means to serve its end (after all, efficiency is anything that scores), it is bound by none and is therefore free. In other words, JKD possesses everything, but is in itself possessed by nothing.
Therefore, to try and define JKD in terms of a distinct style---be it gung-fu, karate, street fighting, Bruce Lee's martial art, etc.---is to completely miss its meaning. It's teaching simply cannot be confined with a system. Since JKD is at once "this" and "not this", it neither opposes nor adheres to any style. To understand this fully, one must transcend from the duality of "for" and "against" into one organic unity which is without distinctions. Understanding of JKD is direct intuition of this unity.
There are no prearranged sets or "kata" in the teaching of JKD, nor are they necessary. Consider the subtle difference between "having no form" and having "no form"; the first is ignorance, the second is transcendence. Through instinctive body feeling, each of us 'knows' our own most efficient and dynamic manner of achieving effective leverage, balance in motion, economical use of energy, etc. Patterns, techniques or forms touch only the fringe of genuine understanding. The core of understanding lies in the individual mind, and until that is touched, everything is uncertain and superficial. Truth cannot be perceived until we come to fully understand ourselves and our potentials. After all, 'knowledge in the martial arts ultimately means self-knowledge.'
At this point you may ask, "How do I gain this knowledge?" That you will have to find out all by yourself. You must accept the fact that there is in help but self-help. For the same reason I cannot tell you how to "gain" freedom, since freedom exists within you. I cannot tell you what 'not' to do, I cannot tell you what you 'should' do, since that would be confining you to a particular approach. Formulas can only inhibit freedom, externally dictated prescriptions only squelch creativity and assure mediocrity. Bear in mind that the freedom that accrues from self-knowledge cannot be acquired through strict adherence to a formula; we do not suddenly "become" free, we simply "are" free.
Learning is definitely not mere imitation, nor is it the ability to accumulate and regurgitate fixed knowledge. Learning is a constant process of discovery, a process without end. In JKD we begin not by accumulation but by discovering the cause of our ignorance, a discovery that involves a shedding process.
Unfortunately, most students in the martial arts are conformists. Instead of learning to depend on themselves for expression, they blindly follow their instructors, no longer feeling alone, and finding security in mass imitation. The product of this imitation is a dependent mind. Independent inquiry, which is essential to genuine understanding, is sacrificed. Look around the martial arts and witness the assortment of routine performers, trick artists, desensitized robots, glorifiers of the past and so on---- all followers or exponents of organized despair.
How often are we told by different "sensei" of "masters" that the martial arts are life itself? But how many of them truly understand what they are saying? Life is a constant movement---rhythmic as well as random; life is a constant change and not stagnation. Instead of choicelessly flowing with this process of change, many of these "masters", past and present, have built an illusion of fixed forms, rigidly subscribing to traditional concepts and techniques of the art, solidifying the ever-flowing, dissecting the totality.
The most pitiful sight is to see sincere students earnestly repeating those imitative drills, listening to their own screams and spiritual yells. In most cases, the means these "sensei" offer their students are so elaborate that the student must give tremendous attention to them, until gradually he loses sight of the end. The students end up performing their methodical routines as a mere conditioned response, rather than 'responding to' "what is." They no longer "listen" to circumstances; they "recite" their circumstances. These pour souls have unwittingly become trapped in the miasma of classical martial arts training.
A teacher, a really good sensei, is never a 'giver' of "truth"; he is a guide, a 'pointer' to the truth that the student must discover for himself. A good teacher, therefore, studies each student individually and encourages the student to explore himself, both internally and externally, until, ultimately, the student is integrated with his being. For example, a skillful teacher might spur his student's growth by confronting him with certain frustrations. A good teacher is a catalyst. Besides possessing a deep understanding, he must also have a responsive mind with great flexibility and sensitivity.

A FINGER POINTING TO THE MOON

There is no standard in total combat, and expression must be free. this liberating truth is a reality only in so far as it is 'experienced and lived' by the individual himself; it is a truth that transcends styles or disciplines. Remember, too, that Jeet Kune Do is merely a term, a label to be used as a boat to get one across; once across, it is to be discarded and not carried on one's back.
These few paragraphs are, at best, a "finger pointing to the moon." Please do not take the finger to be the moon or fix your gaze so intently on the finger as to miss all the beautiful sights of heaven. After all, the usefulness of the finger is in pointing away from itself to the light which illumines finger and all. ---

Bruce Lee Membership Information

2005-12-23T22:53:00.002Z

Welcome to the Bruce Lee Club UK Newsletter

The site has now had over 2 million visitors since we started and many more people are visiting every month, great news for the site and the members of the club.

The interactive CD has mp3's, avi, wallpaper, cursors and a whole lot more to offer the fan of Bruce Lee. All this for only £28 for lifetime membership.

Contact Brian Harrison –

1 Prior Terrace
Corbridge
Northumberland
NE 45 5 HN
United Kingdom

Bruce Lee: The Celebrated Life of the Golden Dragon
In the pages of Bruce Lee: The Celebrated Life of the Golden Dragon, we invite you to examine the real Bruce Lee, the man behind the image-- the man who was so much more than an international film and martial arts superstar. In a brilliantly assembled photographic essay complied and edited by John Little, this history of the life and career of Bruce Lee which covers Bruce from childhood to international stardom, from the charismatic public persona to the quiet family man. With a prefece by SHANNON LEE KEASLER and a foreward by LINDA LEE CADWELL, the text is drawn directly from Bruce Lee's own words, as recorded in his diaries and journals, as well as form interviews and the documentary Bruce Lee: In Hi Own Words.
Illustrated with rare family photographs and stills from his movies and television appearances, you won't want to miss the HOTTEST new Bruce Lee Book NOW AVAILABLE! It's a big 8 1/2 x 11, 180 pages full of pictures you won't want to be without! £15 for members no postage charge.

The unofficial Japanese Bruce lee club, please e-mail mark at expect@yo.rim.or.jp, please mention my name.Web site at http://www.yo.rim.or.jp/~expect/EXPECT.html has English text and items for sale.

brucelee@jet.es please e-mail this guy as he has a huge collection of Bruce Lee items. In Spain.

If you are looking for a good book on Bruce Lee that tries to be truthful, try Bruce Lee: Fighting Spirit by Bruce Thomas. He not only covers Lee's life, film career, fighting style and philosophy, he also looks at martial arts movies in general. It's a solid read without any conspiracy nonsense.
Jeet Kune Do, the martial art of Bruce Lee, is being preserved in the UK.

Check out the Web page :

www.ndirect.co.uk/~g-man/jkdbruce.htm

Chief instructor: Sifu T. Carruthers.

Technical directors to his school :Ted Wong, Howard Williams and Jesse Glover - basically the big three.

More details athttp://www.jeetkunedo.co.uk/Dave Carnell England01782 823984Andy Gibney Kettering, London

http://www.nrmai.co.uk/NEW BOOK******Bruce Lee's Greatest Movie and has 18 never-before published colour photos of Bruce Lee.Take a look at it at web.singnet.com.sg/~hotcopy/brucelee.htmllaunched on November 27. It comes with Two Commendatory Monographs on Bruce Lee and a Special Collector's Certificate. Buy direct from the site.

Here is a readers review of the book:-A Reader's Review of "The Orphan" Being an ardent Bruce Lee fan, I am always on the lookout for obscure or rare movies, books and posters featuring him. Then I came across a book called "The Orphan" by Tan Hoo Chwoon. I bought a copy through the Internet and here's what I discovered:The pictures on the front and back covers were great. Then I found more rare colour pictures of Bruce in the inside pages. Again I regarded those pictures as precious gems. I read the book. The whole story was a gripping and riveting one. There was suspense and anticipation as the story unfolds. Much better than his kung fu movies.Truly a classic as is the writing style throughout its pages.I also discovered many important unknown facts about Bruce, which would enlighten any ardent fan in the world, all very thoughtfully documented in the monographs. I can imagine the painstaking effort in research to bring out the colourful history of a wonderful and gifted actor such as Bruce Lee. An important volume in any Bruce Lee archive. It beats me how these interesting and colourful facts were never made known to the world in the last 25 years! Truly, truly a superb book on a superb movie featuring a superb actor and supported by a superb cast of legendary Hong Kong actors and actresses. An excellent effort by Tan Hoo Chwoon. I wonder what other rare gifts we can expect in the future. All Bruce Lee fans out there must get one copy of "The Orphan" or kick themselves if they fail to obtain one.- Lee Hock ChyeHoo Chwoonhotcopy@mbox5.singnet.com.sg

free e-mail yourname@bruce-leeuk.zzn.com join from main page and get your free e-mail address, also you can log on at the site and grab your web based mail direct from the page.

Brian Harrison

bruceleuk@hotmail.com

www.brucelee.org.uk

Bruce Lee Club UK Newsletter

2005-12-23T19:34:00.000Z

Welcome to the Bruce Lee Club UK newsletter.

Bruce Lee (November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) is widely considered to be the greatest martial arts film actor of the 20th century. His films, especially the last performance in Enter the Dragon, elevated the by-then traditional Hong Kong martial arts film to a new level, and artists like Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris have been able to work from this platform. He was married to Linda Emery, with whom he had a son, Brandon, and daughter, Shannon. His son, Brandon Lee, was a martial artist and an actor.

Born in San Francisco, California to a Chinese father Lee Hoi-Chuen and a German-Chinese mother Grace Lee, Bruce Lee was raised in Hong Kong, where his parents lived. His parents were film actors, hence he had the opportunity to appear in several Chinese movies as a child. He also studied the Wing Chun style of Kung Fu.

In 1959, Bruce Lee went to Seattle to complete his high school education. He received his diploma from Edison Technical School and went on to enroll in the University of Washington as a philosophy major. It was at the UW that he would meet his wife Linda Emery.

After leaving University, Bruce Lee went on to star as Kato in the television series The Green Hornet. On his return to Hong Kong, he starred in the movies that would cement his fame.
After studying and becoming dissatisfied with existing classical schools of martial arts, Bruce Lee began the process of creating his own style: Jun Fan Gung Fu, a modification of Wing Chun blended with Western Boxing, and Fencing. His schools were called Jun Fan Gung Fu Institutes. Later, in order to apply a more descriptive name, he renamed it Jeet Kune Do. JKD was a further refinement of his style which incorporated elements from many styles to create a more streamlined and practical martial art, as well as a comprehensive system of fitness training. JKD is also defined as his personal philosophy of how martial arts should be effectively practiced (and according to others also as a self-help philosophy).

Bruce Lee frequently gave demonstrations of his two-finger pushups and his famous "one inch punch". He was a very well rounded man, being well educated both academically (he was a philosophy major at the University of Washington) and in the field of martial arts. His studies of Wing Chun Gung Fu sparked his enthusiasm and understanding of martial arts. In fact, Wing Chun was the only martial art Lee formally studied, under the guidance of Yip Man. Throughout his life Lee studied many styles of martial arts through an extensive literature research and contacts with other martial artists. Many contemporary martial arts instructors, in an effort to promote themselves or their schools, make dubious claims about learning from or teaching Bruce Lee. This was a major reason why he put rigid standards forth to earn certification in his arts.

It is rumored that Bruce Lee used an electric current as an aid to strength training, because of the leanness the muscles gained in working against themselves. However, this muscle stimulator was only one of many pieces of equipment and exercise routines Lee used to achieve his on-screen physical appearance. His obsession with physical fitness is seen in his personal notes and diary. Lee tracked the evolution of his training in his diary, which has been recollected and published in The Bruce Lee Library by John Little a "martial arts historian" from Bruce Lee's Estate.

Death:
On July 20, 1973, Bruce Lee was due to have dinner with former James Bond star George Lazenby, with whom he intended to make a film. According to Lee's wife, Linda, Bruce met producer Raymond Chow at 2 pm at home to discuss the making of the movie Game of Death. They worked until 4 pm, and then drove together to the home of Betty Ting Pei, Taiwanese actress who was to also have a leading role in the film. The three went over the script at her home, and then Chow left to attend a dinner meeting.

A short time later, Bruce Lee complained of a headache and Tingpei gave him a tablet of Equagesic. At around 7.30 pm, he lay down for a nap. After Lee didn't turn up for the dinner, Chow came to the apartment but could not wake up Lee. A doctor was summoned, who spent 10 minutes attempting to revive him before sending him by ambulance to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. However Lee was dead by the time he reached the hospital. The ensuing autopsy found traces of cannabis in his stomach. There was no visible external injury, however his brain had swollen considerably, from 1,400 to 1,575 grams. Lee was 32 years old.

A similar incident had occurred a few months before. On May 10, during the final dubbing of Enter the Dragon, he suffered a sudden attack of seizures and a cerebral edema which was not fatal. The neurosurgeon who saved his life in May, Dr. Peter Wu, said that he removed a considerable amount of hashish from Lee's stomach. Bruce, whose entrained paranoia grew with his international fame, had been chewing hashish to calm himself. Dr. Wu, who is renowned for his cerebral edema research in Asian males, said that various neurological problems associated with hashish had been recorded in Nepalese men. Bruce was very vulnerable to the effects of drugs due to his extremely low body fat. Dr. Donald Langford, Lee's physician in Hong Kong, said that Bruce's body was less than one percent body fat, that "it was obscene how little body fat he had."

Dr. Langford says that, "This man was muscled like a squirrel, spirited as a horse. I've never seen anybody as physically fit as Bruce. Equagesic is prescribed in the million-dose range every day in Asia.

Despite the opinions of those closest to Bruce Lee, his death is still the source of much sensationalism and controversy. Rumors concerning the cause of his death range from Lee being killed by Hong Kong triads (gangsters) because he refused to pay them protection money; to his being killed by an angry martial artist's dim mak (death touch) strike for having angered the martial arts community by revealing ancient secrets to foreigners; to drug use. However the official cause of death, cerebral edema, was recorded as being the result of an allergic reaction to the analgesic he took combined with medicine he took for back pain, that he sustained after pinching a nerve in his lower back while doing dead lift exercises without properly warming up. A condition that left him in a wheelchair. Fortunately, contrary to his doctor's prognosis that he would never kick again, Lee regained his athletic prowess -- better than ever. Yet, it left with him a lifelong pain in his back.

Bruce Lee is interred in Seattle's Lake View Cemetery.

Although he made only a handful of films and television appearances in his adulthood, Bruce Lee has become an iconic figure in life, and in movies, as a personification of a small man who became the epitome of what some see as mental and physical perfection. His fame also sparked the first major surge of interest in Chinese martial arts in the West. The direction and tone of Bruce Lee's movies have forever changed and influenced action and martial arts films.

Awards and honors:

The film Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story is a highly fictionalized biography of his life/legend.
In 1958, Lee was the Cha Cha Champion of Hong Kong. He worked part time as a Cha Cha instructor for a short time when he returned to San Francisco in April 1959.

The Shaman King character Lee Bailong (Lee Pai-Long) is a reference to Bruce Lee.
The Street Fighter character Fei-Long is essentially an exaggerated clone of Lee, as is the Tekken character Law, whose moves include the One Inch Punch made famous by Lee.
A character from Naruto named Rock Lee bears some similarity to Bruce Lee. In the anime and manga, the character is a master of a purely martial-arts fighting style.