The Bruce Lee Club UK
The Master of JKD
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Bruce Lee remains the gold standard of martial arts action in cinema. Hong Kong and Hollywood have unleashed an army of fighters yet few are even considered a peer of the legend that passed away nearly 40 years ago. Bruce Lee took out Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris in his handful of films. I Am Bruce Lee is a new documentary that explore his life and his current impact in culture. The DVD and Blu-ray come out January 15, 2013. Here’s the press release from Shout! Factory:
Los Angeles, Calif., October 25, 2012 — Despite his sudden death in 1973 at the age of 32, legendary icon Bruce Lee continues to influence the world of martial arts, popular culture and entertainment to this day. On January 15, 2013, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the commercial and brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, will release the acclaimed documentary feature I AM BRUCE LEE on Blu-ray and DVD. Boasting a wide array of special bonus content, captivating interviews and archived materials, I AM BRUCE LEE is a must-have for Bruce Lee fans, collectors and pop culture enthusiasts. (SRP: Blu-ray $26.97; DVD $19.93)
Fans and collectors can preorder now at ShoutFactory.com or Amazon.com.
Order directly from ShoutFactory.com and receive a limited-edition exclusive 18”x24” I AM BRUCE LEE poster. This is only available while supplies last.
Produced by Derik Murray, Network Entertainment, Bruce Lee Enterprises and Leeway Media Group, and directed by Pete McCormack, I AM BRUCE LEE delves deeper into the compelling saga behind Bruce Lee than ever before and deftly unravels Lee’s fascinating life through his own words and visually stunning actions, as well as through the eyes of his family, close friends and luminaries from the world of sports and entertainment. The film also examines Lee’s connections to the modern field of Mixed Martial Arts.
Among the notable luminaries featured in this film are NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, renowned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, Academy Award® nominated actor Mickey Rourke, Emmy Award winning actor Ed O’Neill, actress and MMA fighter Gina Carano (Haywire), multiplatinum recording artist Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and UFC President Dana White, who calls Lee the “Father of Mixed Martial Arts.” Other interviews featured in the film include celebrated writer and director Reginald Hudlin, boxer Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, and MMA fighters Cung Le and Stephan Bonnar. The people who knew Lee best, his daughter Shannon Lee and wife Linda Lee Cadwell, as well as his friends and associates including legendary martial artists Dan Inosanto, Bob Wall and Gene LeBell, offer unprecedented insights into his private life and career.
Their candid perspectives, in combination with rarely seen videos, archival photos and footage from Lee’s groundbreaking martial arts action films, further establish I AM BRUCE LEE as the definitive look at a man whose legacy will endure forever.
Special Features:
Backyard Training – Bruce Lee’s Personal Films
Inspiration – Bruce Lee’s Global Impact
Bruce Lee In Action
Theatrical Trailer
Bruce Lee’s Hollywood Audition
Kung fu legend Bruce Lee's former residence in Hong Kong will be put up for sale after a plan to turn the property into a museum dedicated to the icon failed, a report said Wednesday.
Philanthropist Yu Panglin, who owns the mansion, which became a rundown "love hotel," said he was planning to sell the property for $23 million after talks with the government for the museum collapsed last year.
"I'm no longer considering (the museum plan) since the government is not supportive," the 90-year-old billionaire told Hong Kong's Chinese-language Singtao Daily in an interview.
Sunday, April 01, 2012
Warriors Journey
Awed pathos might come with the territory when dealing with talented, charismatic celebrities who die younger than expected, and any biographer of Bruce Lee has a long line of mythological worship to struggle against reproducing. That A Warrior’s Journey, a 2000 documentary directed by Lee historian John Little, opens by emphasising the international extent of Lee’s fame at the time of his untimely death is indicative of both its biggest fault and its main draw.
Faults first. The expository sequence of A Warrior’s Journey contextualises Lee’s 1973 demise, aged just 32, by situating his status as the world’s most exciting martial arts film star within an increasingly receptive US film industry and an economically growing Hong Kong equivalent. Furthermore, archive imagery of a buoyant Lee at the height of his career is underscored by Doug Copsey, who tells us in an even, accessible voice-over that such fame was the means by which Lee had, apparently, finally overcome the professional and cultural bigotry, economic and emotional hardship and the dogged struggle to retain artistic integrity that had marked earlier years.
This check-list required of Lee’s success is presented only to heighten the tragedy of his death, not so much overshadowed by it as aiding and feeding off of it in a reciprocal process of myth-making – or myth-reproduction (the narrator notes, with accompanying close-up, what Lee wrote in his diary on the day of his death). Triumphalism meets mystification, certainly, and Little adds to the pathos by having the rest of his documentary unfold as an illustrative flashback retracing the career of its star up to that starting (or end) point.
But there’s also another reason why the film begins as it does. At the time of his death, Lee had returned to Hong Kong, after filming Enter the Dragon with Warner Bros., to finish shooting The Game of Death, a project for which he undertook eight roles (director and producer; actor, writer and choreographer; and contributing input to set design, cinematography and lighting). Because the film was never completed, its existing footage is something of a treasure to Lee fans – especially since for some time it was considered lost - and the presentation of the 33-minute centre-piece of that film is A Warrior’s Journey‘s unique selling point.
Predictably if understandably, though, the main attraction is delayed, with the first two thirds of the film providing an efficient biographical overview of Lee, tracing’s his development as a lecturer in the nuances of eastern philosophy and the beginnings of his interest in kung fu. Drawn to kung fu as a more complete martial art than karate or jiu-jitsu, Lee formed his own, “non-classical” brand of it that brought together three principles: the economy of motion, simplicity and directness. Referring to non-contact rehearsals and competitions as “organised despair” and ”dry-land swimming”, Lee brought to martial arts influences from Newtonian science, western fencing and the stategies of boxing. The only litmus test for martial arts was, for him, their practicable efficiency of landing a blow.
Fearing students were misconstruing his philosophies and making a virtue of them, he closed his three martial arts schools in 1969, narrowing his teaching to a select few students. If this was the beginning of an ultimately more receptive approach to different martial arts styles, Lee’s catalyst for shifting away from the need to systematise a single fighting technique was ironically a back injury sustained in 1970, from which he was told by medics he might never fully recover: effectively bed-ridden for six months, Lee turned to the writings of Jiddu Krishnamurti in particular and confirmed his belief against a single, gospel truth with regard to fighting style – effective fighting was thenceforth approached as relative to an individual style that played to one’s strengths.
Proving medics wrong, Lee became fitter and more adept at martial arts than ever and, with a newfound spiritual confidence in his own capabilities, planned The Game of Death to be a showcase of both different styles as exemplified by others and his own adaptibility in conquering them. In the 33-minute sequence from the film – which doubles as the documentary’s own climax – this diversity is displayed concisely and excitingly. Dressed in that iconic yellow suit – itself a means of challenging acceptable dress codes for martial arts – Lee bests three different opponents at their own respective game, utilising any means he must in order to conquer them.
Edited together from Lee’s script and film notes, the sequence is an extended pay-off following an hour or so of exposition, which is narrated in the present-tense and includes interviews with Linda Lee Caldwell, Taky Kimura, Ji Han Jae and towering Game of Death co-star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - though annoyingly, these talking heads are never credited in-film. The fight sequence extends beyond the 11-minute version that was incorporated into the 1978 exploitative hash-job of the same name, which padded the material to a feature’s length through look-alikes and stand-ins. This ought, by any stretch, to be settle the balance for good.
Bruce Lee: A Warrior’s Journey - which was originally included as a bonus on the 2004 special edition of Enter the Dragon – is released as a stand-alone DVD by Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment on Monday, March 12.
The legacy lives on.....
With the rise of martial arts in many townships and villages across South Africa during the ’70s and ’80s, joining a karate club became hugely popular. And Sensei Kgomotso Motshabi was among those as she was inspired by internationally renowned kung fu king, Bruce Lee.
Movies such as Enter the Dragon, Shaolin Temple, Drunken Master, Best of the Best and Karate Kid that were shown in small classrooms or church buildings, were big among the youth at the time and ignited Motshabi’s dream to emulate Bruce Lee.
Motshabi holds a second Dan black belt and joined Mmabana Mafikeng Dojo (karate club) in 1990 under the tutelage of Sensei Badu Mothusi, feared by many who succumbed to her vicious geris (kicks).
“I was very active from the age of six, especially during primary school days and very interested in many sporting codes. Before karate, my sports were gymnastics, netball and athletics at junior schools. But at high school I was curious to train in karate,” she said.
Motshabi explains: “In karate, you are thoroughly prepared before engaging in any fight, these preparations are done through sparring with your gym partners.”
She recalled her first fight during the national karate championships at the Molopo Sun Hotel in the former Bophuthatswana homeland where she won a bronze medal after imposing several electrifying mawashigeri (foot slaps) on her opponent she identified only as Lydia from Rustenburg. “I still cherish my bronze.
“My family had seen potential in me, hence they afforded me a chance to participate and explore all the sporting codes as I grew up. I had unconditional support from my friends as well, and even at school, something that inspired me to put more dedication and focus into martial arts,” said Motshabi.
On realising her passion for karate, Sensei Mothusi recommended Motshabi for an instructor’s course in 1997 when she was graded with a brown belt and honoured with a Sensei status on her return from competing in Zimbabwe where she excelled, taking six medals, including four gold and two silver for both individual and team performance.
“I was selected as a national coach for the junior karate team that represented the country at the 10th World Karate Championship in Australia in 2006. Our team obtained second position (silver medal) among 163 countries.
Motshabi dreams of having her own dojo and next month, she goes to Tokyo for the annual World Instructors seminar.
thabor@thenewsage.co.za
Movies such as Enter the Dragon, Shaolin Temple, Drunken Master, Best of the Best and Karate Kid that were shown in small classrooms or church buildings, were big among the youth at the time and ignited Motshabi’s dream to emulate Bruce Lee.
Motshabi holds a second Dan black belt and joined Mmabana Mafikeng Dojo (karate club) in 1990 under the tutelage of Sensei Badu Mothusi, feared by many who succumbed to her vicious geris (kicks).
“I was very active from the age of six, especially during primary school days and very interested in many sporting codes. Before karate, my sports were gymnastics, netball and athletics at junior schools. But at high school I was curious to train in karate,” she said.
Motshabi explains: “In karate, you are thoroughly prepared before engaging in any fight, these preparations are done through sparring with your gym partners.”
She recalled her first fight during the national karate championships at the Molopo Sun Hotel in the former Bophuthatswana homeland where she won a bronze medal after imposing several electrifying mawashigeri (foot slaps) on her opponent she identified only as Lydia from Rustenburg. “I still cherish my bronze.
“My family had seen potential in me, hence they afforded me a chance to participate and explore all the sporting codes as I grew up. I had unconditional support from my friends as well, and even at school, something that inspired me to put more dedication and focus into martial arts,” said Motshabi.
On realising her passion for karate, Sensei Mothusi recommended Motshabi for an instructor’s course in 1997 when she was graded with a brown belt and honoured with a Sensei status on her return from competing in Zimbabwe where she excelled, taking six medals, including four gold and two silver for both individual and team performance.
“I was selected as a national coach for the junior karate team that represented the country at the 10th World Karate Championship in Australia in 2006. Our team obtained second position (silver medal) among 163 countries.
Motshabi dreams of having her own dojo and next month, she goes to Tokyo for the annual World Instructors seminar.
thabor@thenewsage.co.za
Self Defense
The Self-Defense Institute (TSDI) in Tewksbury has been recognized out of hundreds of martial arts studios in the Northeast region of America, as one of only 20 studios chosen to take part in the Bruce Lee Foundation. Along with this honor, the studio from Tewksbury will meet Shannon Lee, daughter of martial arts superstar Bruce Lee, of the Bruce Lee Foundation.
“Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee’s daughter is the celebrity guest making an appearance in April at the Ocean State Grand Nationals where she will be promoting the Bruce Lee Foundation,” said TSDI co-owner and chief instructor Deb Davis.
Deb works alongside her husband Jeff Davis who is also a chief instructor. As they are both masters of martial arts, they are addressed as Shihan before their actual name. Shihan is a Japanese honorific title granted to those who advance in martial arts to the master level.
“The Bruce Lee Foundation is set up to perpetuate and preserve the legacy of Bruce Lee by creating a home where the totality of his legacy, his martial art, his philosophy, and his life example can continue to thrive for generations through inspirational events, educational programs, martial arts instruction and the Bruce Lee Museum,” said Jeff.
Dedication
Shannon Lee will make her appearance at the black belt eliminations on Saturday, April 14, to observe the tournaments, and to take photos with the top martial arts students. The winning students will be chosen to take part in the Bruce Lee Foundation due to their hard work and dedication to the sport. Deb and Jeff will also meet and take a picture with Shannon.
As TSDI is involved with the Bruce Lee Foundation, the organization and a number of its students have donated a sum of $3,000 to the cause.
“We are still raising funds through our studio,” said Jeff. “If you would like to donate to the Bruce Lee Foundation, call 1-978-863-1460.”
Giving back
“The Self-Defense Institute has been recognized for teaching, leadership in the community, and a commitment to excellence,” Deb said. “The Self-Defense Institute is always finding ways to give back to the community, martial arts, and students of today.”
This is not the first time the TSDI has been involved with a martial arts star. In 2005, Chuck Norris was the celebrity guest at the Ocean State Grand Nationals in Rhode Island, where Deb and Jeff were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the martial arts by the tournament directors. They received an invitation to the tournament, and, with TSDI students, met, had dinner with, and took a team picture with Chuck Norris.
Read more: The Self-Defense Institute in Tewksbury receives honors - Tewksbury, MA - Tewksbury Advocate http://www.wickedlocal.com/tewksbury/news/x221025114/The-Self-Defense-Institute-in-Tewksbury-receives-honors#ixzz1qlwAAWt1
“Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee’s daughter is the celebrity guest making an appearance in April at the Ocean State Grand Nationals where she will be promoting the Bruce Lee Foundation,” said TSDI co-owner and chief instructor Deb Davis.
Deb works alongside her husband Jeff Davis who is also a chief instructor. As they are both masters of martial arts, they are addressed as Shihan before their actual name. Shihan is a Japanese honorific title granted to those who advance in martial arts to the master level.
“The Bruce Lee Foundation is set up to perpetuate and preserve the legacy of Bruce Lee by creating a home where the totality of his legacy, his martial art, his philosophy, and his life example can continue to thrive for generations through inspirational events, educational programs, martial arts instruction and the Bruce Lee Museum,” said Jeff.
Dedication
Shannon Lee will make her appearance at the black belt eliminations on Saturday, April 14, to observe the tournaments, and to take photos with the top martial arts students. The winning students will be chosen to take part in the Bruce Lee Foundation due to their hard work and dedication to the sport. Deb and Jeff will also meet and take a picture with Shannon.
As TSDI is involved with the Bruce Lee Foundation, the organization and a number of its students have donated a sum of $3,000 to the cause.
“We are still raising funds through our studio,” said Jeff. “If you would like to donate to the Bruce Lee Foundation, call 1-978-863-1460.”
Giving back
“The Self-Defense Institute has been recognized for teaching, leadership in the community, and a commitment to excellence,” Deb said. “The Self-Defense Institute is always finding ways to give back to the community, martial arts, and students of today.”
This is not the first time the TSDI has been involved with a martial arts star. In 2005, Chuck Norris was the celebrity guest at the Ocean State Grand Nationals in Rhode Island, where Deb and Jeff were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the martial arts by the tournament directors. They received an invitation to the tournament, and, with TSDI students, met, had dinner with, and took a team picture with Chuck Norris.
Read more: The Self-Defense Institute in Tewksbury receives honors - Tewksbury, MA - Tewksbury Advocate http://www.wickedlocal.com/tewksbury/news/x221025114/The-Self-Defense-Institute-in-Tewksbury-receives-honors#ixzz1qlwAAWt1
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, October 17, 2011
Bruce Lee
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.
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.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bruce Lee Pens
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.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Would you like to create, and even star in, your own stunt-filled movie sequence?
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.
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
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
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Link to poster
http://www.network54.com/Forum/103552/thread/1286898913/last-1286898913/New+Bruce+Lee-Taky+Kimura+Poster+Magazine
New Poster on Bruce
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 !
Friday, August 27, 2010
Ahna Capri dead
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Bruce Lee 20th July 1973 a day never to be forgotten
“If you make an ass out of yourself, there will always be someone to ride you”
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Green Hornet January 2011
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.
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.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Bruce Lee to be portrayed by Hong Kong singer Aarif Lee in biopic
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.
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
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
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
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Bruce Lee's last costume from Game of Death strikes back at auction
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"
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.
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.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
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.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ideas for Bruce Lee's house go on show
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.
*
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.
Friday, January 15, 2010
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 postagewww.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.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Bruce Lee
- 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
- "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
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.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
BRUCE LEE: CONVERSATIONS
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".
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".
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Kung Fu grandmaster visits
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."
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."
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Ip Man 2?
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."
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Hong Kong to open design competition.
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
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
Bruce Lee movies on line
Watch Kung Fu movies on line at KFMOL
Good site for Bruce Lee lookalikes and some different films after Bruce Lee death.
Good site for Bruce Lee lookalikes and some different films after Bruce Lee death.
Join the Bruce Lee club
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
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Kareem and Bruce Lee
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.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
UK documentary
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Bruce Lee Cinemaquette
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/
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/
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
British-born Indian actor Dev Patel
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.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Help Needed?
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 on0870 062 5090
or email contact@twofour.co.uk
Monday, January 12, 2009
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
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.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Great article from Peer in Norway enjoy......
Read this great article from Peer in Norway.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1870589,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1870589,00.html
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Friday, November 28, 2008
New Bruce Lee Social Network Site
I have added a new social network site to the left hand column of the main page. Please join.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Nokia N96 Bruce Lee limited edition phone
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.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tony Leung is all fight these days as he gets ready for his role as Bruce Lee’s teacher.
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
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Bruce Lee Museum Opens its doors...
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.
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| 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
Hong Kong action movie "Ip Man" will open on December 19 in Chinese theatres for the year-end box office battle.
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| 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.
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