Tag Archives: martial arts

The Grandmaster (Movie)

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I thought I posted about this already, but it seems I haven’t yet. It’s nothing new, but I can’t wait for The Grandmaster to open in the US. Directed by Wong Kar Wai, starring Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, and Cung Le.

Here’s the trailer and also an extremely interesting mini-documentary “The Road to The Grandmaster” (both Chinese only). Wow, the director thought about making this film back in 1996. Such a long journey (like Lincoln). Was fun to watch Tony Leung practice.

All this time, the spotlight has been on Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li and his beautiful moves. Ten years ago, nobody was talking about anything REMOTELY related 詠春.

I need to do a marathon of all the Ip Man movies to get myself ready. I just hope the action shots aren’t just a bunch of close-ups where you can’t really see what’s going on.

Ip Man (Yip Man) Movie

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I haven’t posted much on this subject, mainly because I keep much of this to myself, even in person. The only other place I remember where I’ve mentioned anything was on my “100 things about me” page. But as my friends and I watched this movie this weekend, I was reminded how this movie has a special place in my heart. I first watched this last year online on some Chinese site and was determined to buy this movie in the summer. I even paid extra for the DVD version (instead of the cheaper, lower quality, but more popular VCD). If you’re ever looking for a great kungfu movie WITH a good story line, go rent this.

Jet Li’s English

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I cringe every time Jet Li opens his mouth in these American films. I’m embarrassed for him, but at the same time, it makes me chuckle.

His first line in The Forbidden Kingdom after a long fight scene:

No, Fool!

Why do I write this now? Because I’m watching Kiss of the Dragon on TV and laughed out loud at the following lines:

Bridget Fonda’s character: I’m not your type, huh?
Jet Li’s character: I don’t have a type.

Hmm, what else does he say that’s funny? I can’t seem to remember now.

Sneak Peek: The Forbidden Kingdom

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forbiddenkingdomposter Sneak Peek: The Forbidden KingdomJust got back from a sneak preview of The Forbidden Kingdom that opens this Friday, along with Expelled. Don’t worry, no spoilers here because I don’t really like to write. I’m just embarrassed every time Jet Li speaks in English. I think filmmakers make the effort to minimize his lines. But boy, he does move beautifully. Jackie Chan–always funny. Great choreography by the famous Yuen Woo Ping, whose moves most Americans would know from the Matrix movies and Kill Bill.

I remember watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in the theater, especially during the scenes when the Chow Yun Fat ran across the water or over trees, people whispered “that’s so fake.” OF COURSE IT’S FAKE, PEOPLE!!! Anyhoo, I think The Forbidden Kingdom will make just about anyone appreciate fantasy martial arts movies. My friend’s 3 (almost 4) year old daughter Mackenzie was so gripped by the movie that at one point she yelled out about Jackie Chan’s character “you just can’t kill him!”. Too cute.

This is the first film that features Jet Li and Jackie Chan together. Apparently, Jackie Chan said it was pretty easy to work together.

I have not worked with someone whom I’m comfortable with, in terms of
movements, rhythm and natural reactions, in the last 10 years. I have
done many fight scenes with others but there were usually more than 10
takes, which is a waste of time as the person may forget his moves and
unnecessary injuries. When I fought with Li, our actions were quick. We
also didn’t have to do the same stunt over 20 times. #

Ok, I’m motivated to go to the park again. My new dream job: to be in a movie with both of them.

100 Things About Me

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Last updated: January, 2013

Everyone else has done it, so here it goes “100 things about me”:

  1. I’m known as simply some girl online, and BJ at Starbucks or Jamba Juice. My real nickname is Beej (short for BJ, from Baby Jen)
  2. My REAL real name is Jennifer
  3. I’ve always wanted a nickname when I was little
  4. Coincidentally, I’ve had a nickname ever since then
  5. One of my elementary teachers used to call me JT
  6. I was born in San Francisco
  7. I can speak Chinese (Cantonese)
  8. But I can’t read characters
  9. Unless they’re menu items
  10. Neither can I write Chinese
  11. Except for my name and a few numbers
  12. I can understand Toisanese/Taishanese, a Chinese dialect from the region of Toisan (or Taishan)
  13. But I can’t speak it
  14. I have 2 siblings: 1 brother and 1 sister
  15. I’m a “left brain” person – analytical, and not very good at art- although I’m getting better a photography.
  16. I have a scar on my chin
  17. And on my scalp
  18. I believe in God
  19. And wished everyone else did too
  20. To quote The Princess Bride, “I am not left-handed”
  21. I won the spelling bee in elementary school
  22. Twice
  23. And almost won county (placed 9th out of 172)
  24. I didn’t finish reading a single book in high school
  25. I’ve worn glasses since the 4th grade
  26. I now wear contacts
  27. And wish I didn’t have to
  28. I like long hair
  29. But not on guys
  30. I worked in an ice cream shop in high school
  31. I know CPR
  32. And First Aid
  33. I’ve been certified as a lifeguard
  34. But never worked as one
  35. I’ve never gone swimming in the ocean
  36. Because the last time I was in the ocean, I didn’t know how to swim
  37. When I was little, my parents took me to the airport to watch airplanes take off and land
  38. Even now, I love watching airplanes take off and land
  39. Because they remind me of places far far away
  40. I majored in Psychology
  41. And minored in Asian American Studies
  42. I love to learn
  43. But I hate proving what I’ve learned
  44. I played intramural ultimate frisbee in college.
  45. My friends made me watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show my freshman year in college
  46. I had 12 different roommates in college
  47. I used to skateboard
  48. But I can’t skate nor rollerblade
  49. I’ve held an uzi
  50. And shot a gun
  51. I’ve taken piano lessons, like every other good Chinese kid
  52. I play the guitar
  53. And a little bit of bass
  54. I like to play golf
  55. I can’t wipe the smile off my face when I snowboard
  56. I drive can drive a stick shift
  57. I’ve seen a car flip over 3 times on its side
  58. I’ve been in a car that flipped over on its side
  59. I love dark chocolate
  60. I drink way too much coffee
  61. And not enough water
  62. I enjoy cooking
  63. But hate cleaning up afterwards
  64. I think I have worms because I like to eat so often
  65. I love spicy food
  66. I don’t drink much soda
  67. But if I do, I go for diet because it’s not as sweet
  68. I’ve worked overseas
  69. I’m still a little afraid of the dark
  70. I’ve gone ocean kayaking
  71. I miss mountain biking
  72. I’ve biked in the snow
  73. I love horseback riding
  74. I tried rock climbing
  75. And realized that I’m extremely weak
  76. Which is why I’m studying 詠春, 朱家螳螂, and 陳家太極拳
  77. I’m afraid of heights
  78. But I can ride roller coasters
  79. Except the ones that drop straight down
  80. I haven’t had to stay in the hospital since infancy
  81. I’ve never broken a bone
  82. But I’ve torn a ligament
  83. I had a dog named Gershwin
  84. I ate dog meat when I was in China
  85. I get motion sickness REAL easily
  86. I want to visit the Holy Land
  87. I like falling asleep with the TV on
  88. And I ALWAYS sleep in a fetal position
  89. I’m not afraid of dying
  90. But I’m afraid of suffering
  91. I like scary movies
  92. I’m a gigantic fan of Saturday Night Live
  93. I don’t like taking naps — it feels like I’m wasting the day away.
  94. I like to read
  95. I hate writing
  96. But I love blogging
  97. This website was born November 21, 2001 at 10:54pm
  98. Three different blog engines have powered it: Blogger, Movable Type, and WordPress
  99. I spend too much time on the computer
  100. Working on lame things such as this list

Matrix rave

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Lock: Not everyone believes in what you believe.
Morpheus: My beliefs do not require them to.

I love it! Go watch it. Why do most opportunities to go out occur during the times when I should be studying most? I’m supposed to watch X2 tomorrow night also, but I might have to skip out on that since I’m working tomorrow and Saturday. Oh, but I want to go…the struggle… We’ll see how much I get done. So was this movie worth the risk of failing my final exam? Probably not.

But I liked the movie. They could have done without the dance scene, but there were a lot of fight scenes, which were AWESOME!!! Yuen Wo Ping and his brother Yuen Cheung Yan were the action choreographers for this movie. They’re pretty well known martial arts directors for American and Hong Kong action movies and I’ve seen many of them. The ones in Chinese are the best. No fake voice-overs….haha.

And you can’t ignore the religious overtones in the movie. Is Morpheus like John the Baptist, heralding the coming of “the one,” who is messiah-like and all-powerful?

And in terms of fashion, I must say these movies do have their own style of clothing, not to mention the sunglasses. Do you think people will be wearing clothes like Neo anytime in the near future???

PS.-Don’t forget to stay after the credits!