Benny ‘The Jet’ was awesome onscreen with Jackie. Forget the title, i think it was Meals on Wheels? Anyway, too bad i didn’t see him in more flicks. Actually, that’s the only one i’ve seen him in.
[QUOTE=Brule;1145550]Benny ‘The Jet’ was awesome onscreen with Jackie. Forget the title, i think it was Meals on Wheels? Anyway, too bad i didn’t see him in more flicks. Actually, that’s the only one i’ve seen him in.[/QUOTE]
ask jackie chan about that and im sure youll get a much different story…benny kept hitting jackie for real, and jackie wanted to fight him, there was alot of problems, and thats what i mean about real martial artist. some have it, some dont. and the “it” i refer to is timing. which is what a really talented dancer has.
Yes, I heard that about Benny and Jackie, too. I would guess (I may be wrong) that Benny wasn’t doing it deliberately. Unfortunately, that’s what you get when you cast a fighter in a movie (Wheels on Meals was only Benny’s second movie experience). But he still looked great onscreen, and he easily kept up in the choreo with Jackie when Jackie was at his physical peak.
On a side note, I heard that Jackie, and especially Sammo, regularly made hard contact with stuntmen in the '80s, when there was a drive among HK moviemakers for ‘realism’ in stunts and physical contact. Maybe Benny was a little too realistic for them. Keith Vitali, who fought Yuen Biao in the movie, claimed he was not told that Yuen Biao was going to smash a vase into his head until they did it.
Brule:
Jackie and Benny movie-fought again a few years later in Dragons Forever. Benny also appeared in a few American films; his first film role was in Force: Five (a bad film). Also had a small part in Grosse Pointe Blank.
Concerning dancers as screen fighters, IMO the best I’ve seen was Moon Lee (Lee Choi-Fung). She was a dancer who learned ‘fu’ for the movies but looked outstanding…better than Michelle Yeoh, who was also a dancer. So was Kara Hui.
As for the original topic, I’ll just wait to see how Keanu’s film turns out.
it sounds like its gonna be interesting, ill go for the fights if nothing else…doesnt sound better then man with the iron fist thou…that movie just sounds like its gona be bananas…
I’ll probably end up watching this when it comes out. I thought Reeves did an ok job with the choreography for the Matrix series, although i found him really stiff necked in a lot of scenes. Not sure what happened during the filming of the last Matrix film as some of the commentary on it seems to suggest Woo-Ping wasn’t around and Reeves and Weaving were just winging it, i could be wrong.
Dante lam took over when woo ping wasn’t around. And the reason he seemed stiff necked is because he seriously injured it during filming if you watch making of footage during two and three he wore a neck brace.
[QUOTE=doug maverick;1145875]Dante lam took over when woo ping wasn’t around. And the reason he seemed stiff necked is because he seriously injured it during filming if you watch making of footage during two and three he wore a neck brace.[/QUOTE]
Interesting…but I agree Keanu looks stiff necked in several of his movies. I just thought it was a posture thing with him.
[QUOTE=doug maverick;1145875]Dante lam took over when woo ping wasn’t around. And the reason he seemed stiff necked is because he seriously injured it during filming if you watch making of footage during two and three he wore a neck brace.[/QUOTE]
Probably the case although i was also thinking about the first part , the second two installments, he actually seemed to be getting more comfortable with the action sequences. Funny, i read it mentioned somewhere after the first one came out that they purposely had him really stiff and rigid and their explanation of that was because he was just pulled out of the matrix and thus his muscles were not used to moving let alone learning ‘kung fu’. They basically made it part of the story of the film. I found it a lame excuse albeit clever to use.
I’ve gotta see it
Any martial arts film buff has to see this. Come on now. I see every major martial arts film eventually. Why wouldn’t I? I love martial arts films. Even the horrible ones. It’s an addiction.
“Hello, my name is Gene, and I’m a martial arts movie addict.”
This could be a game changer. This could also be horrible. Whatever it is, I’ve still gotta see it.
i think this mixed with man with the iron fist is gonna open up some doors..its what ive been saying…making martial arts films, that mix it up a bit…not all this foreign devil crap, or the subliminal patriotism…just a good linear story with tons of ass kicking.
im loving all the martial punk!!
I’m fine with martial punk.
As long as there’s no martial emo, I’m cool with it.
I certainly hope these films open up some doors. I’ve always felt that the martial genre is painfully unimaginative. Why is in martial arts filmmakers keep regurgitating Enter the Dragon and Fist of Fury? Although I must say I’ve been enjoying this new wave of Fant-Asia coming out of China lately. That’s a bit of a retread too, but at least the special effects are better now.
I just can’t wait to see another modern day actioner. Like sha po lang. Wuxia was amazing. But it was history of violance, mixed with csi/law and order. And it would have been perfect if only they didn’t shoot the end to that last fight scene. That killed it for me. It was a kingdom of the crystal skulls moment.
[QUOTE=GeneChing;1145979]As long as there’s no martial emo, I’m cool with it.
I certainly hope these films open up some doors. I’ve always felt that the martial genre is painfully unimaginative. Why is in martial arts filmmakers keep regurgitating Enter the Dragon and Fist of Fury? Although I must say I’ve been enjoying this new wave of Fant-Asia coming out of China lately. That’s a bit of a retread too, but at least the special effects are better now.[/QUOTE]
The American MA films are always tournament-related (MMA, underground fights, etc., etc.). In (most) of the recent Chinese MA films, it’s Chinese against everyone else. That got old decades ago. I guess there’s been a Bruce Lee fad in China, pretty late for it; I think it was the same in China with the Beatles not long ago, too.
I’m still waiting for Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa to just get on with it. Tony seems to have run out of steam, but I’m sure that’s what many want to see. Maybe a story similar to Secret Rivals, but instead of southern style vs. northern style, it’ll be Donnie and Tony’s respective styles. Then cast someone like Kim Won-Jin as the mutual villain, so that Donnie and Tony can fight, but neither has to ‘lose’ to the other. In the end fight, they have to double-team against the villain. And set it in modern times (Tony is way better in modern settings). That’s a simplistic outline of a basic idea. I know that’s not an original MA movie story idea, but compared to a lot of today’s MA films, it would be refreshingly different.
Oh, and have Sammo Hung as the main choreographer, with input from each camp. That might lessen any issues of ego. Boom, problem solved. **Well, maybe…
Green light!
Is Keanu the Carradine of this generation?
Keanu Reeves’ Directorial Debut ‘Man of Tai Chi’ Gets Greenlight
3:12 PM PST 12/14/2011 by Pamela McClintock
Village Roadshow Asia, China Film Group, Wanda Media and Universal Pictures are co-financing the martial arts pic, which will shoot in China.
Universal Pictures is boarding Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut Man of Tai Chi, which will be shot in China and co-financed by Village Roadshow Pictures Asia, China Film Group, Wanda Media and Universal.
Reeves, who also will co-star in the martial arts pic, has been in talks with Village Roadshow Asia and China Film Group for months regarding the project. Village Roadshow Asia’s affiliates will distribute Man of Tai Chi in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, by China Film Group and Wanda Media Group in China and by Universal in the rest of the world.
Man of Tai Chi reteams Reeves and Village Roadshow, which co-produced and co-financed The Matrix franchise with Warner Bros.
Set in contemporary Beijing, Man of Tai Chi headlines Tiger Chen, who was part of the kung fu team in The Matrix. In Man of Tai Chi, Chen stars as a young martial artist whose fighting skills brings him to a realm of vast opportunities, and painful choices.
Reeves, who is currently in China, will shoot the film in Mandarin and English, and is slated to start production in February.
“We are pleased to announce Man of Tai Chi under the Village Roadshow Pictures Asia label and to extend our long-standing relationship with Keanu,” Village Roadshow Entertainment Group CEO Glen Basser said.
Universal International president David Kosse said the opportunity to become further involved in the Chinese market, as well as to bring Chinese films to audiences around the world, is a priority for the studio. “Man of Tai Chi has an amazing pedigree of filmmakers and we’re thrilled to be a part of Keanu’s directorial debut,” he said.
Carradine could act at least.
well considering he is literally at the top of the A list and carradine never was..im gonna go with no…but yes carradine could act his ass off.
I was being sarcastic with that Carradine comment
Gotta write something to make that 10 character minimum for posts. :o
Universal boards Reeves’ Man of Tai Chi
By Patrick Frater
Thu, 15 December 2011, 10:04 AM (HKT)
Hollywood studio Universal Pictures Inc has come on board as international distributor and co-financier of the Chinese language film Man of Tai Chi that will mark the directorial debut of Keanu REEVES.
The film is being co-produced by Village Roadshow Entertainment Group Asia, China Film Group Corporation and Wanda Media.
It is expected to shoot from February in Beijing, with production travelling from the mainland to Hong Kong and Macau.
Village Roadshow and its related companies will release the film in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. China will be handled by CFG and Wanda, while Universal handles distribution in the rest of the world.
“The opportunity to get further involved in the Chinese market and to bring Chinese films to audiences around the world is important to Universal,” said David KOSSE, president of Universal International, in a statement.
Reeves will also appear in front of the camera, though the star will be Tiger CHEN , a martial artist who previously worked on The Matrix with both Reeves and Village Roadshow.
The contemporary, Beijing-set story is the “spiritual journey of a young martial artist (Tiger Chen), whose fighting skills brings him to a realm opportunities and painful choices.”
Reeves recently completed filming in the UK of 47 Ronin, an English-language, Japanese film that Universal will also handle.
Karen Mok
Karen Mok Is Keanu Reeves’ Tai Chi Girl
2011-12-19 13:01:29 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Xie Tingting
Karen Mok has been announced as the female lead of Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut “Man of Tai Chi”.
Singer-actress Karen Mok has been announced as the female lead of Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut “Man of Tai Chi”, according to Mtime.com.
Mok will play a police officer in the movie.
The casting progress has lasted for a few months in China. A number of top Chinese actresses were rumored to be joining the movie including Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li, Liu Yifei and Huang Shengyi.
Previous reports have indicated that Chen Hu, the kung fu coach for Reeves, will play the lead role. Reeves will play opposite him as a villain.
“Man of Tai Chi” is a modern kung fu flick with a tai chi twist. China Film Group, Village Roadshow Asia, Wanda Media and Universal Pictures will co-produce the movie. Universal Pictures will be in charge of its release in North America.
The movie is expected to start shooting in February in Beijing.
By Chen Nan
I’ve never been much of a fan of Karen Mok. She looks a little too much like someone I used to know and that freaks me out.
Karen Mok’s official website
Slightly OT
Keanu is positioning himself for the Chinese market. Does anyone know if he speaks Chinese?
Posted: Tue., Feb. 21, 2012, 5:26am PT
Keanu Reeves to deliver masterclass in Hong Kong
Filmart attracts 640 exhibitors from 30 countries
By Clifford Coonan
BEIJING – Organizers are gearing up for a record number of exhibitors at Filmart, the Hong Kong Film and Television Market, while Keanu Reeves will give a master class on digital film at the Hong Kong Film Festival, which runs concurrently.
The March 19 to 22 event is likely to attract considerable interest after mainland China, which is strongly linked with the Hong Kong biz, agreed to increase market access for U.S. movies earlier this week. This resolves an outstanding trade dispute, prompting hopes of a boom in Hollywood-China relations.
Filmart will feature some 640 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
The U.S.’ Independent Film and TV Alliance will present a variety of companies in the U.S. pavilion.
For the first time there will be pavilions for exhibitors from Turkey and Mexico, while other pavilions will house Gaul’s Unifrance and Ile de France; Film Export U.K.; South Korea’s Kofic and Kocca; Japan’s promo org Unijapan, the Okinawa Film Office, Hokkaido Contents Distribution and Jetro.
Filmart will also host pavilions for Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
“Filmart is Asia’s premier film industry event and one of the world’s top three film markets in terms of exhibitor numbers. Together with other events under the expo, we look forward to showcasing the biggest annual entertainment event to the world,” said Hong Kong Trade Development Council assistant executive director Raymond Yip.
There will also be seminars and conferences looking at new media and online distribution, screenwriting for the global market, and others.
Reeves will be guest of honor at the Jockey Club Cine Academy Master Class on March 18, presenting “Side by Side,” a documentary produced by and featuring Reeves interviewing filmmakers including George Lucas, Martin Scorsese and James Cameron about the development of digital cinema technology.
“A talent of his international stature at the Master Class is a real encouragement to our young people to develop their interest in film and film culture,” said fest exec Roger Garcia.
The event will be moderated by filmmaker and art connoisseur Yonfan, who is involved in digital restoration of his own films.
The events come under the umbrella of the Entertainment Expo Hong Kong, which will feature nine events covering film, TV, digital entertainment and music.
Also included are the Asian Film Awards, the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum, the Hong Kong Asian Pop Music Festival, the IFPI Hong Kong Sales Music Award, the Incubator for Film & Visual Media in Asia and the Digital Visual Effects Summit.