Best Fight Scenes of Recent Time and All Time

Best Fight Scenes of Recent Time and All Time
There is something about a fight scene that really gets the blood pumping. Maybe it is just the visceral nature in us all or we just appreciate and admire the skills that are demonstrated. Regardless of the reason, a well done fight scene is something to be appreciated. Unfortunately there has been a recent trend in blockbusters lately that have brought down the quality of action. Whether it is too much use of shakycam or too much CGI, the quality has suffered.

Nevertheless, certain movies still remember how to shoot a proper fight scene. The following list will be divided into two portions. The first list will deal with fight scenes from recent time while the second list will tackle fight scenes from different time periods. The choices made will not be limited to films from the United States and everything mentioned is based on personal preference in no particular order. While it should be obvious, be aware of potential spoilers ahead.

You have been warned. (http://levynewsnetwork.files.wordpress.com)

Best Fight Scenes of Recent Time:

1.  Rurouni Kenshin (2012)- One vs. Many
• When it comes to a live-action adaptation of a comic book or cartoon, the results are usually disastrous. This adaptation of the popular Japanese comic, however, proves itself to be an exception. While all the fights in the film are enjoyable, it is the first fight that helps set the tone of the movie. The main character, Kenshin, fighting against a gang demonstrates efficiency, grace, and ferocity in his fighting. Any fan of the comic will be filled with glee while casual movie goers will find an entertaining film.
2.  Skyfall (2012)- Train Fight
• To have a list and not include James Bond would be a crime. The Bond film series have a standard of action and the most recent iteration of the franchise lives up to that reputation. Here Bond is fighting a bad guy for a hard-drive that will be relevant later in the film. The choreography is not pretty, but it does not need to be. The danger of fighting on top of a train without using green screen only adds to the excitement. 
3.  Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013)- Final Fight Scene
•  The following scene will spoil the ending of the film. Unless you are martial arts movie junkie, chances you may not be familiar with this film. Despite the lack of a theatrical release, Ninja: Shadow of a Tear displays great fighting that seems to be lacking in Hollywood. What separates this film from others in the category is the abilities of the actors in the film. Every flip kick or fall is most likely performed by the actors. Scenes are played out in longer segments as opposed to rapid editing.

Best Fight Scenes of All Time

1. The Matrix (1999)-Neo vs. Agent Smith
•  Despite its lackluster sequels and all the parodies that came out soon after,  The Matrix changed the game in Hollywood. This was one of the first moments in which a Western film company used Eastern action sentiments so prominently. What also makes this a good fight is that instead of just stopping the story, the fight scene continues it. We see Neo's physical struggle to live up to his destiny. 
2. Way of the Dragon (1974)- Bruce Lee vs. Chuck Norris




•  If current audiences watches this fight scene, they may be put off by what appears to be an outdated style. While it may look silly to some now, this fight was revolutionary for its time and is a classic. Many fights during this period either looked too dance-like or too slow. This Bruce Lee fight cranked up the speed and the power of the fighters. Plus it brought Chuck Norris into the limelight.
3. Wheels on Meals (1984)- Jackie Chan vs. Benny "the Jet" Urquidez
• Considered by many to be one of the best fight scenes ever filmed. The choreography is top-notch and the speed is incredible. Jackie Chan tends to fight numerous opponents or fighters who out class him significantly. This is one of those fights in which he is toe-to-toe with his opponent. His opponent, Benny "the Jet" is a real life kickboxing champion and his skills shine in this scene. If you look closely at one point, Benny is able to blow out the candles with the speed of his kick; no trick photography. 

 Hopefully all these clips got your heart racing, or at the very least gave you some enjoyment. All films can be found on DVD or online, so if you want to see the full thing, go right ahead. Nuke up of some popcorn and enjoy.

The Do's and Don'ts of Making an Independent Film

The Do's and Don'ts of Making a Independent Film

As with any profession, there are things that you should do when making a film and things that you should avoid doing. None of what I am about to say is necessarily going to apply for every single filmmaker out there. What I am going to mention is all based on my personal experiences from various film shoots; whether they were my own or others.

What you should do:

•  If you are the director, stay in control. The old saying, "too many cooks spoil the soup" applies on a film set as well. While you should be open to any suggestion and criticism, the director should still make the final call. If control if given to too many people, the whole project and crawl to a stop. 
• Make a schedule and stick to it. For the most part, the crew and cast may be volunteering their free time in order to help you. Having a schedule keeps everything in order and puts people's mind at ease knowing all their efforts are according to plan. Also unless you know people are willing to stay, stick to the end time regardless of how much you finish. 
• Expect the worst and hope for the best. Things will go wrong when you least expect them to. Actors will not show up, equipment fails, or you get kicked out of a location. Regardless it is always best to plan for these eventualities; have a back up for the back up. If you do have the right circumstances for the moment, pray it stays that way.

What you don't do:

•   Take anything personal. A lot of egos can clash when making a film. Some feel like their decision should be prominent while others feel as though they cannot be heard. The common goal everyone should have is to make the best film that they can.
• Be self-indulgent. A film is a group effort. Without many parts, it does not work.
• Wait to solve the problem. A common thought would be to fix certain lighting issues and such in post. Not only is that very lazy, but there is not guarantee that it will even be fixed in post. If something can be done in that moment, it should be done. 

Are the more do's and don'ts of film making? Most definitely. However, these I believe are some of the most important things to keep aware of while making a film. Happy trails!

My Young Auntie (A Slightly More Detailed Wiki Synopsis)

The Shaw Brother's My Fair Lady

The Shaw Brothers film My Young Auntie is one of my personal favorite kung fu films. In a way, we can consider it Hong Kong's version of My Fair Lady. While more of a comedy than an a standard kung fu film, I still found myself enjoying it as much as the first time I saw it.

Combination of beauty and skill. (http://docfilms.uchicago.edu)

 Just for the sake of curiosity, I went onto Wikipedia to see if there was an article posted about the film.

A young female martial-arts champion, Cheng Tai-nun (Kara Hui) marries an elderly landowner so the old man can keep his estate from falling into the greedy and unscrupulous hands of his brother Yu Yung-Sheng (Wang Lung Wei). Tai-nun inherits his estate when he dies, and is soon in Canton, staying with her older nephew by marriage, Yu Cheng-chuan (Lau Kar Leung), and his son Yu Tao (Hsiao Ho). When the traditional and conservative Tai-nun, a woman from the provinces, runs into the modern and Westernized Yu Tao for the first time, the sparks fly and a clash of egos begins. Meanwhile, the evil brother steals the deed to the dead husband's estate. Tai-nun and Yu Tao go to get the deed back and are beaten and held hostage by Yung-Sheng and his experts. Its then up to Yu Cheng-chuan and his brothers to rescue them.

While the synopsis on the wiki page did summarize the story more or less, I felt that a little more detail could be added. Thus I expanded on the plot by adding the additional two paragraphs.

A young female martial-arts champion, Cheng Tai-nun (Kara Hui) marries an elderly landowner so the old man can keep his estate from falling into the greedy and unscrupulous hands of his brother Yu Yung-Sheng (Wang Lung Wei). Tai-nun inherits his estate when he dies, and is soon in Canton, staying with her older nephew by marriage, Yu Cheng-chuan (Lau Kar Leung), and his son Yu Tao (Hsiao Ho). When the traditional and conservative Tai-nun, a woman from the provinces, runs into the modern and Westernized Yu Tao for the first time, the sparks fly and a clash of egos begins.

Their conflict eventually leads to Yu Tao inviting Tai-nun to a costume party in hopes of embarrassing her in public. When the two get into trouble and Cheng-chuan needs to bail them out, the evil brother takes this opportunity to steal the deed to the dead husband's estate. Tai-nun and Yu Tao reach out to their extended family and ask for their help to retrieve the deed back. Although the family members agree, it becomes apparent that Yu Cheng-chuan and his brothers may be too old to help.

Tai-nun and Yu Tao decide to go get the deed back themselves and work together to infiltrate the evil brother’s estate. Although they fight bravely, they are eventually outnumbered. Tai-nun is held hostage while Yu Tao is able to escape. With the help of his father and uncles, Yu Tao is able to help Tai-nun and the deed is given back to its rightful owner. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Young_Auntie)

Only time will tell if someone else expands on what I wrote... Maybe they will even delete everything I wrote all together.

How to Make a Film for Free: Guerrilla Filmmaking

A Lot of Passion but Not Dough

What was one of the last blockbusters you have seen in theaters? For me, it was Guardians of the Galaxy. With talking racoons, space battles, and fantastic characters, what's not to love about it? So how much did it cost to create this film? $170 million. For the most part, even the cheapest Hollywood film would cost a few million. However because of advances in technology today, anyone is capable of making a film as long as they have ingenuity, the will, and a camera.

Even this can get the job done. (walmart.com)

What is Guerrilla Filmmaking?
More or less it is a form in independent filmmaking that is defined by its low budget, small crew, and possible lack of props. If a permit for a location cannot be afforded, the crew would sneak in and shoot anyway. It is based in passion and with the desire to do whatever it takes to get the right shot. Here are a few things to have when guerrilla filmmaking.


The Camera: The Essential Tool
While being the most important part, the camera can also be the most expensive. If you do not have access to a video camera, ask your friends if you could borrow theirs. Nevertheless there are numerous, affordable options in camcorders nowadays. It all depends on how high you want the video quality and how much data you can record on. 

Also most smartphones have a high quality camera included, so your cell phone can shoot the movie if you are really desperate. However since the phone is light, expect the footage to come out very shaky if done handheld. Invest in a tripod if you do decide to go this route.

(http://www.rakuten.co.jp)

The Crew and Actors... or Your Best Friends
More likely than not the ones to help you make the film are going to be your friends. Always keep in mind that they are volunteering to help you and are not getting paid. Treat your crew members with respect.

There are numerous sites online where someone can find an actor to work for free. The usual requirements is a copy of the film for their demo reel, which should be easy enough. However, it is courtesy to give them a free meal and reimburse gas money if they need it. A good reputation goes a long way.

Pizza is usually a safe choice for a meal. (http://www.followthecoin.com)

Props and Locations? Who Needs Them?!
Depending on the story of the film, you need to be very clever in terms of props. Sometimes it can be as easy as going to a thrift shop. Other times it can involve a lot of glue and duct tape. Creativity and imagination are key. Mores time than not a prop can look cheesy or clumsy, but sometimes that can be used to an advantage and give a film its own flair.

Unless the film requires it, try to shoot outside your own house. It is surprising how willing most people are in terms of lending a space for a film. For the most part, as long as you keep them in the loop and tell them what you are filming, most will say yes. The worst thing people could say is 'no', so it never hurts to ask. Just remember to respect the property and leave it as good as you found it.

Yeah, this location would be way too good to get for a guerrilla film. (http://magnumn3.org)

Putting It All Together
Editing used to be much trickier since the process itself was costly. Since everything is digital, a computer can do everything you need. All computers should have a basic video editor to cut shots together: iMovie and Windows Movie Maker. If you want to upgrade from that, you can buy an editing program like Adobe Premiere Elements ($59.99). This is a more affordable option in comparison to its older, more professional brother ($999.999 for Educational License).

It hurts me too...(http://paydayloancook.com)

A filmmaker does not just wait to be surrounded by the right circumstances to make a film. He or she should be able to make a film whenever they can and however they can. If you have a story and you have an idea, go make that movie.

Review Corner: Rope a Dope

Groundhog Day and Fighting!

Picture Courtesy of ricmeyers.com

(Disclaimer: While I know Eric Jacobus, I will be as fair as possible when reviewing this short film.)


I can attest to being one of many people who is not a big fan of action movies that have come out of Hollywood in recent years. Awkward editing, overuse of shaky cam, and poor choice of camera angles have taken the joy out of some action movies. Luckily for the action junkie, the internet is loaded with numerous content created by independent filmmakers. Eric Jacobus' Rope-A-Dope is one of those action short films that should not be overlooked.

(http://i.ytimg.com)

In a nutshell, the short film is a mix of Bill Murray's Groundhog Day and martial arts. In more detail, the story follows a Dope (played by Eric Jacobus) who gets knocked out by martial arts thugs. He realizes that he keeps repeating the same day after being knocked out, so he does his best to prepare for the fight for his fate... Which is to not repeat the same stupid day.

The film does not have any spoken dialogue and mostly relies on the soundtrack, sound effects, and body language of the actors. The humor is very slapstick and the jokes usually hit their marks. Since this story essentially deals with time travel, there can be nitpicking when it comes to the story. However this is not the type of short film that needs to be dissected; it is just one to be enjoyed.

The action is pretty top notch for an independent production and everyone gets their chance to shine. The fight scenes can give Hollywood a run for its money and Eric Jacobus' physical prowess is quite impressive to say the least.

If you are an action film lover, casual or hardcore, you will find enjoyment in this video. Even a casual viewer should find some entertainment with Rope-A-Dope. After watching the film, give your support for the channel. Indy work thrives on support.

Filmmaker or Not?

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY!!!!

(theblackandblue.com)

In the past, it was much simpler to identify yourself as a filmmaker because you would actually work with celluloid film. The process to shoot, develop, edit, and distribute a film was both tedious and expensive; only a certain group of people would be willing to put in all this effort to get this done. Fast-forward to the present where technology advanced to the point where essentially anyone can shoot a film. The cameras on cell phones produce high enough quality to make a short film.   Lens not included (http://img.xcitefun.net) For the record, I am not complaining about how much easier it to make a film nowadays. I am very glad for the technology and resources like YouTube allow for my content to be distributed more easily than before. However, there suddenly was this "us vs. them" mentality that began to pop up. People began to separate themselves based on whether or not someone used specific equipment or based on the type of content they produced. For example, a friend of mine was looked down upon as a filmmaker because he used a DSLR camera to make a short film. That person, on the other hand, bragged about using a RED brand camera, which is a brand that is also used in Hollywood.  In the simplest terms, this is how I define a filmmaker. If you ever created a film, congratulations you are a filmmaker. When people think of the term "filmmaker", they usually think of someone raking in the big bucks. I honestly see the word as just a description of someone who made a film. The difference is not whether or not you call yourself that, but how much success you have doing so.  One can dream...(geek.com) The real question should be "are you a professional filmmaker or an amateur filmmaker?" I do not consider myself a completely professional filmmaker because it is not a main part of my career at the current moment; I do not make a living shooting films or making content for clients.  All in all if you are calling yourself a filmmaker and have completed a film, by all means own that moniker. I do not believe the equipment you use or the amount of money you make should completely discount someone from that title.

Crash Course into Martial Arts Movie History....Sort Of

KUNG FU CINEMA
Whether you have seen The Matrix or a Jackie Chan film, martial arts have been embraced as a component for storytelling in films. Even though it seems like it has always been around, its prominence has only been relatively recent. The reason we can see martial arts on the silver screen is all thanks to Chinese opera, believe it or not.

Respect the Opera, Grasshopper
Chinese opera, or Peking opera, was a form of entertainment that would tell stories about folklore, myths, or battles that had taken place thousands of years ago. A special attribute to this type of opera was the actor's painted faces. The color of the paint would identify the role being played; for example a red face would be the hero while a white face would be the villain. For those who think the colors should be switched, Chinese culture sees the color red attributed with good fortune while white is attributed with death. The opera was originally male dominated, so it was not uncommon for a man to play a woman.

Dude looks like a lady! (chinatouronline.com)

Besides being able to sing and act, the performers were also great martial artists and acrobats. In fact, the Peking opera was where Jackie Chan was able to learn all the skills he uses in the films he makes.

Mr. Bond, meet Wong Fei Hung!
A particular cinematic character that Hong Kong filmmakers liked to make a movie about was Wong Fei Hung. The popularity of Wong Fei Hung would be that of James Bond or Rambo for the Western audience; the big difference here is that Wong Fei Hung was an actual person.

The Real Life Folk Hero (wikipedia.org)

Wong Fei Hung was an accomplished martial artist and was seen as the type of character who would defend the underdog and fight for what was right. So how popular was he? A former opera actor by the name of Kwan Tak Hing is well known for playing Wong Fei Hung; he did so in 99 films! Keep in mind he was not the only actor to play this character. Wong Fei Hung is still used in cinema to this day.

The Importance of Bruce Lee

That ain't CGI. Bruce made those flames! (warriorfitness.org)

It can be said that Bruce Lee was the bridge between Eastern and Western thinking. While he was proud of his Chinese heritage, he stood out greatly by also having a western style. In terms of emotion and action in his films, Bruce Lee was very dynamic as opposed to the more reserved manner of the traditional Eastern hero. He changed martial arts movies when he had his first film, The Big Boss, take place in a contemporary setting as opposed ancient China; Bruce would also combine styles, such as muay thai, judo, and boxing.

His success in Hong Kong would eventually lead up to Enter the Dragon, the first Chinese martial arts movie that was made by an American major studio; it was a collaboration of Golden Harvest from the East and Warner Brothers from the West. While this film shot him into international stardom, he sadly died soon after at the age of 32.

The One and Only Jackie Chan

Being drunk is so a super power! (activeengine.net)

Shortly after Bruce Lee had died, there was still this high demand for his films. Suddenly there were many actors who had stage names similar to Bruce Lee's: Bruce Li, Bruce Le, Dragon Lee, etc. Although he did not have a "Bruce" stage name, Jackie Chan was advertised as the next Bruce Lee. His first film under this reputation was The New Fist of Fury, a sequel to Bruce's Fist of Fury. This and many other attempts bombed at the box office.

Eventually Jackie decided that instead of being the next Bruce Lee, he would become the first Jackie Chan. Using his training from his Peking opera days, he paired comedy with kung fu and made the film Snake in Eagle's Shadow. This film and Drunken Master was the one-two punch that jump started his career. He was one of the people to reinvigorate the martial arts genre in Hong Kong Cinema. The rest is history.

No Comment...(youtube.com)

What to See:
My recommendations for martial arts movies include the following in no particular order:

• 36th Chamber of Shaolin
• Drunken Master
• Every Original Bruce Lee film...except maybe Game of Death
• Police Story
• Heroes of the East

Most of these films should be easy to find. Make a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the majesty of kicking butt. 

Film Slacker Log....Day 1

And thus came into creation....THE FILM SLACKER!!!!
Welcome one and all to the blog of the Film Slacker. So was this name just a random choice or was there an actual reason behind it? The truth is a bit of both. The film Back to the Future is one of the best films from the 80's and one of my all time favorite films. From Marty McFly to Doc Brown, the movie is filled with memorable characters and quotes. One thing I remember best from Back to the Future was how the bald principal in the film kept calling the main characters "slackers".

The guy with the gun. (bttf.com)

Being an Asian American and taking film as an undergraduate, I had this stigma of being a poor student who had to rely on art; the truth was I was a great student and happened to also be a good filmmaker. As such, I decided just to take ownership of that title and make it my own. This "slacker" is someone who will amount to something.

Who is the Film Slacker?

THIS GUY! (youtube.com)

At the time of this post, I am a graduate student who likes to make film on the side. I see film as both an artistic triumph and a welcome escape at times to the annoyances of life. Wanting to be a filmmaker, the constant jab I hear is, "I hope you invite me to your red carpet screening!" While that is nice, I did not go into film making for the money. It is just a medium I like to use to tell stories from my head. It is a visual medium that can allow others to see exactly what is in my brain.

My specialty is making fight scenes and I have Jackie Chan to thank for that. Seeing Drunken Master was quite an experience for me. People who say that fight scenes should not be taken seriously need to have their eyes checked. Those that are performed well can say so much with just the movements of the actors. I intend to hone my craft and speak the physical language.

So what?! What is this blog about!?
Well alternate personality, that is an excellent question. This blog will be about independent film making in general. In upcoming posts, I intend to talk about filming techniques, review products, movies, or short films, and maybe even conduct interviews. More or less any sort of topic that tickles my fancy.

Check that creepy clip art! (clipartsfree.net)

Sit back and buckle up because where we are going, there are no roads!