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Author Topic: 'Redbelt'  (Read 18337 times)

Thorsteinn

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'Redbelt'
« on: 2011-06-23, 00:35:15 »
For another film on chivalric behavior I would like to submit, for your consideration, 'Redbelt'.

Specifically the character of Mike Terry

"You think it was noble? The code of the warrior. You think it's noble?" "No, I think it's correct."



Your thoughts?
« Last Edit: 2011-06-23, 00:48:10 by RauttSkegg »
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Sir William

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #1 on: 2011-06-23, 14:29:34 »
That was an excellent movie...he stayed true to the warrior's code, even when he had to suffer for it.  Finding a way to pay for the broken glass, his student's suicide over shame (modern equiv of hara kiri, no?) his wife's apparent lack of understanding (she deals with it out of love, but she does not understand)...and when that big budget shine boy mocked the ceremony of his art, he challenged him.  And won.  Look for Dan Inosanto (long-time friend and training partner to Bruce Lee) to make a cameo near the end.  :)
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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #2 on: 2011-06-23, 15:04:56 »

I haven't seen it. Adding it to netflix now.

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Sir William

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #3 on: 2011-06-23, 15:09:40 »
I picked up the DVD on eBay last year sometime...Ivan's right, it is an excellent example of not necessarily chivalry, but adherence to a higher code, in this case, the warrior (or samurai, as there are references to bushido)...no matter the cost.  For Mike, it is less about thinking and referencing an ideal and more about living it.

I've become a Chiwetel Ejiofor fan as a result of this and other movies, like Children of Men.  The man is gifted.
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Sir James A

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #4 on: 2011-06-23, 20:48:18 »
Never seen it, but it does look interesting. I'm usually in for martial arts movies. Don't know how I missed this one, but I'll post up after watching it. :)
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Sir Wolf

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #5 on: 2011-06-23, 23:06:23 »
yeah that looks good

Sir William

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #6 on: 2011-06-24, 13:54:18 »
This isn't a HK high-wire act like you find in most eastern MA movies...the focus is on Ju-jitsu.  While there's nothing flashy or high flying about Ju-jitsu, it is most effective- as is showcased in some of the training and fight scenes in the movie.  Just about every mixed martial arts fighter has learned or is still learning this art as part of their repertoire...those who do not, never last long.
« Last Edit: 2011-06-24, 13:54:44 by Sir William »
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Joshua Santana

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #7 on: 2011-06-24, 22:42:40 »
Excellent pick Sir William!  I will have to find it and watch it.  Thanks for sharing Rauttskegg!
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Thorsteinn

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #8 on: 2011-06-24, 23:40:23 »
The last 5 or so minutes are awesome. It has an Akira Kurosawa feel to me.
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Sir James A

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #9 on: 2011-06-27, 18:42:20 »
I saw it this past weekend. Without the risk of posting any spoilers, I did not understand the ending at all.

Mike Terry was a very honorable character. It was a good movie, but not quite what I expected. I also saw Sucker Punch this weekend (right before this), and that made me a very sad camper too, I might have missed a few things, but the ending still seemed confusing.
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Sir William

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #10 on: 2011-06-27, 19:49:32 »
Sucker Punch...hot chics, swords and explosions right?  What was there to disappoint you?
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Sir James A

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #11 on: 2011-06-27, 20:30:03 »
Sucker Punch...hot chics, swords and explosions right?  What was there to disappoint you?

I saw 15 foot tall samurai on the commercials. They were in roughly 2 1/2 minutes of the entire movie. And the movie was nothing like I expected. Have you seen it?
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Thorsteinn

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #12 on: 2011-06-27, 21:43:04 »
I saw it this past weekend. Without the risk of posting any spoilers, I did not understand the ending at all.

It was pretty clear to me, so much so that I couldn't imagine a better ending to it. What about the ending is giving you issue? (PM me if you like and tell me where the train broke down for ya.)

-Ivan
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Sir William

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #13 on: 2011-06-28, 16:58:37 »
I haven't seen Sucker Punch yet but plan on it...something about girls kicking butts does it for me.  I'm interested to know what part of the ending was lost on you, Sir James...mind you, it wasn't meant to tie up loose ends, the film maker had a message he wanted to impart.
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Sir James A

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Re: 'Redbelt'
« Reply #14 on: 2011-06-28, 18:19:43 »
I saw it this past weekend. Without the risk of posting any spoilers, I did not understand the ending at all.

It was pretty clear to me, so much so that I couldn't imagine a better ending to it. What about the ending is giving you issue? (PM me if you like and tell me where the train broke down for ya.)

-Ivan

it wasn't meant to tie up loose ends

That's what it was. The ending seemed very abrupt, and it felt like I just saw "part 1 of 2". Don't get me wrong, it was a very good movie and I enjoyed watching it, I hoped for some closure on the other character's stories and it left me hanging.
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