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Vern predicts BLOOD AND BONE will be this year's best picture (direct-to-video category)
Ladies and gentlemen (although, let's be honest, mostly gentlemen around here), Michael Jai White has arrived. He has officially gone from "promising" to fully formed action icon. He has earned the right to just be referred to as MJW and have everybody know what it means. It doesn't matter that Hollywood hasn't figured out to build movies around him like they do with Jason Statham, that Sly didn't think to make him an Expendable, that Marvel Comics hasn't lined up some super hero for him to play. He's sick of waiting so he's just taking it.
I believe come this Fall many of you will agree with me on this, and even for those already on board his status in your internal action hero rankings will be elevated. In October you'll get to see him in the very entertaining blaxploitation homage BLACK DYNAMITE, where he gets to show both his badass presence and his previously untapped comedy chops. That's a long time from now but you'll only have to wait until September 15th to see him in a serious DTV action vehicle called BLOOD AND BONE.
Okay, that's a few weeks away. I'm jumping the gun on this review. But that's because this is the best DTV movie I've seen in a long time - in fact one of the best I've ever seen. If it wasn't MJW I wouldn't have known to watch it because it's yet another underground fighting movie with a bunch of mixed martial arts star cameos listed on the back. These things are spreading across the DTV world like tent caterpillars and they're usually unwatchable. I don't know about you but I'm not entertained by 90 minutes of strobelight, guitars and shirtless giants behind chain link fence. But that's not what this is, and it doesn't really have much to do with real "MMA," it's about flying kicks. It's more like Van Damme's LIONHEART, and on par with many of the movies from that era that we still e njoy.
MJW is introduced in a prison bathroom. He stands with his back turned to Kimbo Slice and a gang of rapists. He's so unconcerned that he rinses his shirt in the sink while they threaten and berate him. Then he turns around and gives them until the count of five. Of course they try to laugh it off so he fights them and within seconds he has Kimbo on the floor whimpering and clutching the shank in his chest. MJW says, "I want you to tell every motherfucker behind these bars that if they get the notion to fuck with me - don't." And then BAM, the title slams on the screen.
That's what I call the declaration of badass intent. You immediately know the movie is serious about delivering. It's like Seagal throwing that pimp through the windshield in OUT FOR JUSTICE. If a movie has a badass opening and then the title strikes like a flash of lightning that's usually a good sign.
Out of prison, MJW (who says to call him "Bone" but never says it's his name) finds a place to stay and quickly shoves his way into a circuit of underground fighters. He clearly has his eye on a rival fight manager named James (Eamonn Walker) and his lady (Michelle Belegrin). James is a great villain. He's a cruel pimp, he loves his pitbulls, he doesn't drink or do drugs but keeps his women hooked on heroin so he can control them. He doesn't believe in cursing ("Remember, profanity is a brutal vice. He who uses it is no gentleman") so when he starts to swear toward the end you know Bone is getting to him.
He also has the best "Just How Evil Is He?" killing-a-henchman scene I've seen in a long time. It takes place at a dinner party where he entices a white guy into a singalong of Wang Chung's "Dance Hall Days" to lower his guard before chopping him with a fuckin sword and then kicking him to death. And I know it's only Wang Chung but I'm surprised they were ab le to get the rights to that. I'm glad they did, so everybody could have fun tonight, etc.
Another thing: I like an action movie villain to be a westerner who loves swords, especially when this is established at the beginning to set up a sword fight at the end. James and Bone also share an interest in Genghis Khan, so there's some quoting that goes on. (Surprisingly there's no mention of Sun Tzu in this one.)
As evil as James is, there are times when you kind of like him. He has a goal of infiltrating an elite consortium of international rich assholes who bet on the highest stakes underground fighting matches. His connection is Julian Sands, who bluntly tells him that he doesn't want to hang out with black people. He makes "African-American" sound like a racial slur. So James tells him his theory of how big dicks caused slavery.
He's a menacingly intelligent and cold-blooded villain and it's a real "I gotta look this guy up on IMDB" performance from Walker. I cannot emphasize enough how rare it is for a DTV action movie to have a really good and memorable villain. Or a modern action movie in general - anybody remember who the bad guy in TRANSPORTER 3 was?
And the hero is just as good. MJW seems just as deadly and vicious as he was in UNDISPUTED II, but not an asshole. Actually he's a sweetheart, he looks after women and keeps promises and what not. It's kind of a Seagal approach in the sense that he's indestructible, he defeats almost every foe he encounters without getting hurt. He's outnumbered but I'm not sure if you can call him an underdog. There's no training (well, he does some tai chi). The appeal is not in seeing him improve but in seeing people shit their pants when they realize their ten giant musclemen can't take this guy and that he will stop at nothing.
But his background is even more mysterious tha n a Seagal character. We hear about a guy who was framed for murder, and I assumed that was Bone, but it turns out to be somebody else. So at the end you realize that you don't know how Bone learned to fight, how he learned to shoot, why he was in prison or even what his name is. And then he says "I got some business to take care of" and walks off into the sunset.
MJW is on a roll because his last DTV movie was Isaac Florentine's UNDISPUTED II: LAST MAN STANDING, the only DTV sequel I like better than the theatrical original. The director is Ben Ramsey, who wrote the recent DRAGONBALLS movie which I haven't watched but I'm familiar with his previous directorial work, LOVE AND A BULLET starring Treach. I consider that one of the better DTV movies because it's a pretty clever take on the "hitmen as working professionals" cliche. That was a good-for-DTV script but it was lacking in the action scenes. This one has really good fights and a slicker look than that one.
Credit is due to J.J. Perry, listed as stunt coordinator here, and he was the fight choreographer for UNDISPUTED II and THE SHEPHERD. I also want to acknowledge the writer, Michael Andrews, who did a great job with the underappreciated art of the action script. He follows the formula the right amount to give you all the types of thrills you hope for, but also puts in enough subtle tweaks that you know you haven't seen one exactly like this before. The story is good enough to take seriously but then you get some crazy moments like when James attacks Bone with a sword, Julian Sands watches for a little bit and then yells "Ohara!," at which point some dude throws Bone a sword. As if he's been holding it at the ready until Sands calls him to action. I think we could all use an Ohara standing by for situations like this.
Another crazy touch: the villain gets raped du ring the end credits. No bloopers, no singalong, just prison rape. People who write these types of movies usually get shit on for supposedly being unoriginal but I think it takes a special talent to play an old song this well, so hats off to Andrews.
I demand BLOOD AND BONE 2. There are so many directions it could go. We don't even know where this guy lives or what kind of life he left behind. They could reveal why he went to prison and have him get revenge on some motherfucker for that. Or he could stay mysterious and his business could be some other revenge. He's serious about keeping promises, and you never know how many other people he promised to get revenge for. It could be a whole series, a guy who travels around getting revenge on behalf of various dead people. As long as they can get more great villains like James I know Bone will know what to do.
I declare BLOOD AND BONE probable best DTV of the year (although I'll have to see Seagal's THE KEEPER and Lundgren's ICARUS before I can be sure). If you're a fan of the early Van Damme movies and that type of thing I think you should definitely see this. And if you get the notion to fuck with it - don't.
--Vern
www.outlawvern.com
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Sure I suppose so, but Mark A.Z. Dippé isn't off the hook by a long shot! What a travesty.
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dewds getting too old for this shit
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sounds good
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Aug 16, 2009 11:49:06 PM CDT
MJW actually Is a pretty good actor. Remember TYSON?
by the_genteel_gentile
In the HBO film abot Tyson from the early 90's Michael Jai-White was excellent as "Iron Mike" in an otherwise lackluster bio-pic.
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yeah.
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Really good to see that he's getting himself recognition for the solid work he's been doing. I'm aching to see Black Dynamite.
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I kinda felt bad for the guy, reduced to a bit player after originally headlining his very own super hero "franchise". I mean, it really wasn't his fault Spawn stunk up the joint. Undisputed II was quite enjoyable, I'm glad he's finally getting some love as well as some better vehicles for his talents.
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It's only rumored, but that actually sounds like a step in the right direction. Michael Jai-White may indeed be on his way to a full fledged comeback (or at least a second shot at the bigtime)!
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Aug 17, 2009 12:13:15 AM CDT
Aftewr seeing District9 I want Bloomcamp for Predators!
by the_genteel_gentile
Speaking of District 9, does anyone know who the actor is that played that psychotic PMC mercinary leader? You know the big roid-raged bald guy with the creepy trimmed beard. I've been trying to find out who that dude is, but haven't had any luck. Anyone?
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He totally owned as Minster Said from HBO's Oz. He's a great actor so I'm not surprised he reps well here.
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a demon gets his wings
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Blame ILM and their half-assed version of a hell for that one. Give this man more work!
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Aug 17, 2009 12:56:09 AM CDT
do you know how many established actors would rape their familie
by sherryk
i know this is all retrospect, but great, memorable scenes with a now dead legend in the 2nd highest earner of all time?
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...that is.
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The guy playing Ohara who throws MJW the sword is actually Bob Wall who played Ohara in Enter the Dragon
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Somebody make this happen
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Gotta disagree with you Vern. Maybe this is a "good" DTV movie, but this is not something I think MJW needs to be doing. The man has a potentially star-making, iconic character on the way and he is doing movies that Jeff Speakman turned down in the early 90s.
The thing is, MJW CAN really fight. I mean the guy is athletic as hell and build like a running back. He has 7 legitimate black belts. But on top of that he can act (something Seagal or Chuck or even Claude Van Damme really couldn't).
To me Bone was the type of movie with a paper thin plot you give the guys who can't act. MJW can do more then this. Hopefully from now on he can. -
I didn't catch that. If this takes place in the same world as ENTER THE DRAGON then maybe in part 2 they can finally answer my question of what happened to John Saxon when he came home without the tournament prize money and was still in debt to the mafia.
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MJW could play William's son out to avenge his father's death.
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Everyone, including William's killer was dead so what would there be to avenge and who would he avenge upon?
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I like that! He's deserved it for a while and it's been a while since we had a good fight movie. So there's this one and Ninja with Scott Adkins coming up. Sweet!
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Han's son. Han Jr. Who is following in the footsteps of his nefarious Dad. Bullshit Mr. Han Jr. Maaan!
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I'm not saying he can't do an even better movie than this, but being a fan of this type of movie and knowing that he excels at it, why wouldn't I want to see him do it? I agree, he's a great martial artist and also a good actor, and that's why he's unique. There aren't many with that combination of talents - only Wesley Snipes comes to mind, and he's kind of out of the picture right now. Also, none of his movies since the BLADEs are half as good as BLOOD AND BONE.
I don't think you're saying he should be doing more dramas though, you understand that the actor/action star combination shouldn't be wasted. So I'm curious what type of movie you want to see him doing. -
New heir to the throne of Billy Blanks. Now we just need him to make a film with Roddy Piper and Cynthia Rothrock. Directed by Aaron Norris.
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I understand where you are coming from. You are a fan of these types of movies and want to see a genuine bad ass in them. But just talking hypothetical and pretending we were giving him career advice (like we are somehow qualified) I would tell him to do more dramas (or at least stuff that is more challenging as an actor, like certain crime or cop movies and stuff like that).
Why do I want him not to do more martial arts-action movies right now, especially considering the fact that I think he is awesome at it? Because Hollywood has started a trend of hiring guys based on their acting/dramatic chops and less on their actual status as a tough guy for high profile roles. While guys like Jason Statham, a guy who knows martial arts, is stuck doing a "lower" budget Hollywood movie like Transporter and Crank, Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Daniel Craig and Robert Downey Jr. (yes he is in armor) are given huge action vehicles. Hollywood cares more that the star can act and is respected than if he actually knows how to fight; they believe that they can always train him or fake it.
I want MJW to get those same opportunities and maybe a movie of the same status, and unfortunately I think they will only make him the star of a huge action movie is if he can prove his acting chops. Maybe if we are lucky he can get some of the parts that have been going to Denzel or something similar, a Inside Man or a Training Day or Hurricane, or maybe he can get cast in something as good as LA Confidential, which propelled Russell Crowe to A-list in a tough guy dramatic role.
After that happens, then it will be easy for them to say "Shit. We know he can act AND fight. It would be stupid for us not to cast him."
Now, if he is unable to get any good dramatic roles, then by all means he should be making action movies right now. And the comic book character I would love to see him play isn't Black Panther (Black Panther has a full mask so it seems kind of pointless to cast an actual martial arts expert when a body double would work 90% of the time) but another Marvel character: The Punisher. Yes, the Punisher is white but who gives a fuck, that is just being narrow-minded. His race isn't essential to his story, what is is that he is a tough-mother fucker who is waging a war on crime. And unless Tim F. Kennedy can act, I can't think of any body out there who could convey the bad-assness of the Punisher better than MJW. -
to look black for a while in hiding. Seriously.
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Saw the trailer on youtube in december and have been patiently for it. Was worried it would be like most shitty DTV movies but this review gives me hope.
his last DTV movie Undisputed 2 was pretty decent and hopefully this will be better.
Looking forward to it -
that was cut out completely. Unless I dreamt that.
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Michale Jai White would be PERFECT as Luke Cage. Trus' me on dis.
Black Panther not so much, since T'Challa is a pretty lean but athletic character- yet not as bulky an muscular as MJW.
Since THE WIRE I always thought that Lance Reddick/Lt. Cedric Daniels would be quite inspired as the Black Panther.
Word
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Really, he´s got a strong fanbase, why alienate them by doing something completly different? Also he just got the look of an action star. Serious he would need to get rid of a lot of these muscles to get cast for a serious, dramatic role. If he´s got the looks and skills of a badass, let´s do something with it!
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My view of Michael Jai White has been sullied ever since Spawn
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where I added this movie to my saved queue since Netflix is stupid and can't figure out that a movie is less than a month from home video release.
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MJW goes out like a bitch. Death By Knife Air In Da Mouth. Why So Serious.......
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Black Panther. 41 is not OLD. Right age for a KING. As for HEROES FOR HIRE: Terry Crews as Luke Cage. Jason Statham as Iron Fist. Buddy cop-style movie. 2 Superherobuddies on a mission to kick some serious ass. Produced by Nick Cage.
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I'm one of 'em! So is MJW down to play a Predator in Predators? I hope so - no CGI please, I still find the original Kevin Peter Hall beast scary!
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I see what you're saying. I think we kind of feel the same but coming from different angles. I want to see him in action movies exactly because so many of the decent ones these days star actors who can't really fight. MJW has done some dramas (such as TROIS) which I'm sure he's good at but to me it would be wasting his talents if that was all he did for a while.
I think also I just like to see a movie like this where the acting is better. I genuinely like the early Van Damme movies, but you have to laugh at what a doofus he is in those and how stiff his English is. BLOOD AND BONE is a similar type of movie but MJW has much more control over his character and is a very convincing badass both in words and action. -
Mann would be able to bring out the best in him.
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I like him, and I think he could be much bigger than he is, and should be, but Spawn was the first thing I ever saw him in, and now he's just cemented as Spawn in my mind whenever I see him.
Also, great review of District 9 Vern. Thanks for equating mockumentary viewing to cosplay. Now I'm too embarrassed to ever watch a Christopher Guest movie again. -
Is reportedly playing James Brown for Spike Lee. He said it should start shooting late next year. Keeping fingers crossed. While MJW is a better martial artist, Wesley is a better actor. Be great to see them together in a movie...but it is criminal that Hollywood won't create a vehicle for MJW. I wonder why...
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Thought he was way over the top in TDK and just about everything he is in. Action DTV flicks are fine but this guy doesnt have the chops to be a great mainstream actor.
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you seem to put a lot of effort into the direct to video scene. I think there's definitely and audience for it, and maybe you fill the void for AICN, I guess I'm just wondering what you could do if you concentrated this much effort and concentration on something else. Don't get me wrong, I'm a live and let live guy so do whatever floats your boat, but this review was like three times the size of a normal AICN review for a direct to vid Michael Jai White movie. Yeah, he's got some potential but its still michael jai white. Also, there may be something to Michael Jai White's race that is not getting him huge starring roles. I just caught a documentary on blaxploitation movies on IFC and the actors from that era basically scoffed at the notion of there being a "black hollywood." Seriously, there's maybe ten black actors who get a consistent amount of roles especially starring roles. And I don't think that's Michael Jai White's or any other black actor's fault.
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I think he could easily outshine Snipes.
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He's be a decent Blade, but dude's no Snipes. I'm still waiting for the REAL Shaft remake (starring Snipes and directed by Antoine Fuqua or The Hughes Bros.) Sam Jackson just ain't makin' it and Singleton is the very definition of "hack". While we're on the subject, I'm still waiting on the REAL Planet Of The Apes remake too (God, talk about potential!). Oh well, a boy can dream can't he?
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I promise I'm only slightly retarded.
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Ran into Sam Jackson last year at ComicCon, and asked him point blank about the lack of sex in Shaft. Says basically that Singleton folded to the studio. Disgusting. Snipes would have been terrific.
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Well, I write about what I'm interested in. I also wrote a 400 page book about the films of Steven Seagal, so it shouldn't be that surprising I got a few things to say about Michael Jai White. Since there aren't that many people covering these movies I think it's much more worthwhile than rehashing the same topic everybody else here and on every other movie websight is already writing about. But if you'd rather read the ten millionth review of DISTRICT 9 I got that for you too at outlawvern.com.
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Thanks for discovering these gems lost in DTV. Some so much better than the garbage they dump into theaters these days. "Never back Down?" The OC meets UFC. "Fighting?" What fighting? Red Belt? zzzzzz
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Aug 18, 2009 5:56:54 AM CDT
Oh no, you did not just insult Redbelt, FungGweiShirComeout.
by knuckleduster
Bad move, fool. Ohara!
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Good Mamet Movie Dull fight movie!
Bolo! -
I'm going to pretend I didn't see that. I realize this is AICN, but... jesus. Jesus Christ.
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Nuff Said.
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Best DTV decision ever. This movie was amazing. Acting was solid, action was over the top, MJW was badass. Can't wait to see Black Dynamite. Amazing.
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