More geeky than girly.
Posts tagged martial arts
Ip Man (Yip Man) Movie
Feb 2nd
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
Apr 19th
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
Apr 16th
Just 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
Mar 14th
Last updated: Nov. 20, 2008
Everyone else has done it, so here it goes:
- I’m known as simply some girl online, and Kim at Starbucks or Jamba Juice. My real nickname is Beej (short for BJ, from Baby Jen)
- My REAL real name is Jennifer
- I’ve always wanted a nickname when I was little
- Coincidentally, I’ve had a nickname ever since then
- One of my elementary teachers used to call me JT
- I was born in San Francisco
- I can speak Chinese (Cantonese)
- But I can’t read characters
- Unless they’re menu items
- Neither can I write Chinese
- Except for my name and a few numbers
- I can understand Toisanese, a Chinese dialect from the region of Toisan (or Taishan)
- But I can’t speak it
- I have 2 siblings: 1 brother and 1 sister
- I’m a “left brain” person – analytical, and not very good at art
- I have a scar on my chin
- And on my scalp
- I believe in God
- And wished everyone did
- To quote The Princess Bride, “I am not left-handed”
- I won the spelling bee in elementary school
- Twice
- And almost won county (placed 9th out of 172)
- I didn’t finish reading a single book in high school
- I’ve worn glasses since the 4th grade
- I now wear contacts
- And wish I didn’t have to
- I like long hair
- But not on guys
- I worked in an ice cream shop in high school
- I know CPR
- And First Aid
- I’ve been certified as a lifeguard
- But never worked as one
- I’ve never gone swimming in the ocean
- Because the last time I was in the ocean, I didn’t know how to swim
- When I was little, my parents took me to the airport to watch airplanes take off and land
- Even now, I love watching airplanes take off and land
- Because they remind me of places far far away
- I earned a B.A. in Psychology
- And a minor in Asian American Studies
- I love to learn
- But I hate proving what I’ve learned
- I played intramural ultimate frisbee in college.
- My friends made me watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show my freshman year in college
- I had 12 different roommates in college
- I used to skateboard
- But I can’t skate nor rollerblade
- I’ve held an uzi
- And shot a gun
- I’ve taken piano lessons, like every other Chinese kid
- I play the guitar
- And a little bit of bass
- I like to play golf
- I can’t wipe the smile off my face when I snowboard
- I drive can drive a stick shift
- I’ve seen a car flip over 3 times on its side
- I’ve been in a car that flipped over on its side
- I love dark chocolate
- I drink way too much coffee
- And not enough water
- I enjoy cooking
- But hate cleaning up afterwards
- I think I have worms because I like to eat so often
- I love spicy food
- I don’t drink much soda
- But if I do, I go for diet because it’s not as sweet
- I’ve worked overseas
- I’m still a little afraid of the dark
- I’ve gone ocean kayaking
- I miss mountain biking
- I’ve biked in the snow
- I love horseback riding
- I tried rock climbing
- And realized that I’m extremely weak
- Even with martial arts training, particularly Wing Chun, Southern Mantis, and Buk Pai
- I’m afraid of heights
- But I can ride roller coasters
- Except the ones that drop straight down
- I haven’t had to stay in the hospital since infancy
- I’ve never broken a bone
- But I’ve torn a ligament
- I had a dog named Gershwin
- I ate dog meat when I was in China
- I get seasick
- I want to visit the Holy Land
- I don’t trust newspapers
- But I subscribe to one
- I’m not afraid of dying
- But I’m afraid of suffering
- I like scary movies
- I wish I had more time to read I listen to audio books during my commute
- I’m a gigantic fan of Saturday Night Live
- I don’t like taking naps — it feels like I’m wasting the day away.
- I hate writing
- But I love blogging
- This website was born November 21, 2001 at 10:54pm
- Three different blog engines have powered it: Blogger, Movable Type, and WordPress
- I spend too much time on the computer
- Working on lame things such as this list
Matrix rave
May 15th
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!