Movies?

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Movies?

Postby Greg Jah » Sat Feb 09, 2013 9:54 am

Hi everyone,

I hope your weekend is off to a great start! At risk of offending the serious martial artists among us, I would like to ask you for martial art movie recommendations, ideally ones that use some t'ai chi or tai chi related (I know, that's broad) moves in the fight choreography or explore some of the concepts behind the IMA's. Of course, I'm also not opposed to martial arts movies that have nothing to do with tai chi or the IMA's but is just a great martial arts move (Twilight Samurai, for example).

Here is the context: I work at a high school where we have started a t'ai chi club. We've got a core group of students that are interested and show up regularly, but I'd like to screen a movie one day in the hopes that students who might not otherwise show up would, and use that as a way of getting them to check out what we do.

Also, for my own selfish reasons, I like watching martial arts movies and am interested in recommendations for movies to watch on my own.

I have considered purchasing one of Empty Mind's documentaries...either Masters of Heaven & Earth (http://emptymindfilms.com/dvd/masters-of-heaven-earth/) or Chen Village (http://emptymindfilms.com/dvd/chen-village/) but would like to hear from someone who has actually seen it before I purchase it.

Thoughts?

Greg
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Re: Movies?

Postby John the Monkey mind » Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:26 am

The film pushing hands is good.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushing_Hands_(film)
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Re: Movies?

Postby caesar » Sat Feb 09, 2013 11:00 am

Hi Greg.

I couldn't figure out any tai chi related movies...but I'll recommend anyway two martial arts movies about Karate that aren't so well known, but IMHO worth to check out.

Black Belt
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1084019/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Fighter in the Wind
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416499/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Enjoy!
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Re: Movies?

Postby fazhou » Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:06 pm

I have not seen the Chen Village film but, Masters of Heaven and Earth was very enjoyable and entertaining.
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Re: Movies?

Postby Dvivid » Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:05 am

The Chinese version of "Tai Chi Master", starring Jet Li is pretty great. The dubbed American version, is terrible. it was edited to be shorter, but also they changed the meaning of the dialogue very much. Other Jet Li films are great, "Once Upon a Time in China 1, 2, & 3", "Fong Sai Yuk 1 & 2", etc.

"Wing Chun" by Michelle Yeoh is great too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dPDlhB5_d4
"Avoid Prejudice, Be Objective in Your Judgement, Be Scientific, Be Logical and Make Sense, Do Not Ignore Prior Experience." - Dr. Yang

http://www.ymaa.com/publishing
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Re: Movies?

Postby yeniseri » Wed Feb 20, 2013 1:38 pm

When I was teaching, I used to show videos of other teaching strategies of teachers so the participants would get a background on the various learning types (audio, visual, kinesthetic and combination(s)). If they showed an affinity, I would usually incorporate more visual sometimes, other times music is included, or perhaps more new thing added so they can be part of the process. The audience (for me) usually determines this.
:roll:
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Re: Movies?

Postby Greg Jah » Thu Feb 21, 2013 1:12 pm

Thanks for the ideas, everyone! Yeniseri, the purpose of this is not educational. It is pretty much just meant to draw students in and to spark some interest.

Dvivid, I haven't seen Wing Chun. I like Michelle Yeoh and will definitely check it out.

Best,

greg
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Re: Movies?

Postby nitsuj » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:33 am

I own Chen Village. It is a good film for sure, though Im not sure it would really fit your need. Parts of it are pretty cool, from an entertainment standpoint. For the most part, I think it would be better received by existing students of taiji rather potential students.

Wasn't there parts of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" filmed around Mt. Wudang? That might be a good film to show to generate interest in prospective students.
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Re: Movies?

Postby brer_momonga » Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:16 am

as silly as it may sound

Kung Fu Panda 2

(can you tell from my username that I like beast fables? :wink: )
imparts a suprising amount of Kung Fu/Tai Chi training and philosophy. It's dressed up and there's lots of embellishment for entertainment value, but the root is there. Plus it's great fun and it might help you bring in a more diverse crowd.

Both of the Kung Fu Panda movies are fun, but Panda 2 especially shows a master's ritual which is undoubtedly a highly stylized and magical version of tai chi chuan. It's not necessary to have seen the first Kung Fu Panda movie to follow and enjoy the second one.

also, the Karate Kid remake with Jayden Smith and Jackie Chan is good, but it's mostly for the guys.

Like the original, it's all about training for the right reasons and how in the end someone who trains Kung Fu is just a regular guy (who happens to practice kung fu and is better for it). Also, the film attempts to show traditional CMA as best as can be done by hollywood for a popular american teenage audience for summer box office ticket sales.

classic Shaolin movies are awesome, but it will probably ensure that your club's membership is 100% male.

Shaolin (2011) with Jackie Chan is good and it shows how kneading dough is Kung Fu. but the movie is on the longer side.

otp tai chi: Dhamma Brothers is very interesting (meditation program in a rural american prison) and may make a lasting impression on high school students. http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3685875993/?ref_=tt_ov_vi

Crouching Tiger is beautiful! It's been too long since I've seen that one.
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Re: Movies?

Postby chh » Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:42 pm

This is a pretty fun Cantonese tv documentary series- Kung Fu Quest. I'm linking to a youtube video of the taiji episode, which is dubbed (and subtitled??) in English. Some of the other episodes are great- I haven't watched this one too carefully, and I also don't know how easy it is to obtain copies of/access to the series!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA4rrFkhCqQ
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Re: Movies?

Postby caesar » Mon Jul 15, 2013 4:33 am

Ok, I guess many of you already know this fresh film from Kar Wai Wong.

The Grandmaster
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462900/?ref_=sr_2

This one had theme going around the internal arts and was very well made. One of the best martial arts movies I've seen, really enjoyed it!
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