sfw

seagal would be amazing to watch, he actually has some cool stuff to talk about.

and Vern I buy your theory on the twin/duel lives thing

Have you ever seen Dog the Bounty Hunter? I know you are referring to the ugly incident regarding the taped phone message with Dog saying the "n" word, but if you knew anything about the show you wouldn't have inserted that.

Dog's show is inspiring. He's done a hell of a lot for the Hawaiian community. He helps people in need... after he catches them. And he's one of the most successful bounty hunters in history... ALL WITHOUT USING ANY FIREARMS.

Now the "n" word is a word I hate. I loathe it. But the phone conversation in question was taken out of context, and while it's bad to say that word, the general "holier than thou" public doesn't understand that the "n" word is used in the urban environment by both blacks and whites in a much different way. Dog was referring to this girl his son was dating, who he says was basically slime and wanted to do nothing but exploit the family and his son. The "n" word comment is a slang term used primarily to depict a low life criminal, up to no good. I don't agree with the use of it. Dog apologized and said he'd never use it again. But people need to understand that he wasn't using it in the form of a racial hate term because of color. Again, I still don't agree with the use of it. I don't agree with the black community using it... it's hypocritical for them to do so. But released out of context and without the understanding of its usage at that time, people pegged him as a closet racist. Anyone that has seen the show or met the Dog family know that this isn't so. He's helped people of all colors. Addicts. Dealers. Whoever. He's no saint, none of us are, but he's done so much good and inspired so many addicts and criminals to straighten their lives out. On top of that, he's put away some bad asses... helping the communities in both Hawaii and Denver.

Regarding his movies... they haven't been the same since the 90s. His earlier movies were great because the fight sequences were showcased in one shot usually, displaying his grace and brutal force. Now, his films rely on the quick cuts you mentioned. I don't know if it's because he's gained weight or what, but Seagal needs to get back to those shots where everything is one master shot for the most part when the fighting begins.

I'd like to see him tackle a story that is centered on martial arts alone... namely Aikido. Perhaps something that has a shade of his real life as one of the top master's in the world. Maybe something showcasing him being a westerner Aikido master in Japan... being pressured by the local martial arts masters. THAT would be a great story for him. But Sensei, if you're reading this, get back to those master shots of your fight sequences. That's what made you a star.

"Quote: (from some martial arts board) The Judo Gene/Seagal story is awesome. I have heard several versions. Anyone want to comment on which one is accurate?

I heard it from two totally different sources, both people being members of the Hollywood stuntman community. Both stories are basically the same.

Seagal was allegedly trashing (physically) his stuntmen, hitting them hard, throwing them hard, and hurting them. LeBell, who was a past president of the guild, went to Seagal and called him on it. Words were exchanged, and Seagal opened the festivities by kicking Gene in the groin.

LeBell ignored the kick, shot in and took Seagal's back. He then choked him out. Seagal lost control of his bladder, wetting his pants. He woke up, squared off, and asked LeBell if he'd like to try it again--which he did, successfully. End Quote.

Now this is most likely just some shit-stirrer trying to impress his web-friends.

I worked with a guy who did every Seagal pic up to Under Siege 2, and he called bullshit on the story, and added that Seagal was a decent guy, but certainly not one to fuck with. He went so far as to tell me a story that was almost the exact reverse - in which Seagal choke slammed a stuntman who was getting carried away with himself. So who knows.

sorry to go on, but i love this stuff. It seems this is more a Gene Lebell story than a Seagal one; as there is a similar version (though less brutal) where the victim is a young Green Hornet era Bruce Lee.

Gene is a martial arts legend, and all sorts of bullshit( or at the very least greatly exagerated) stories have sprung up about him.

Personally I don't beleive it. there is a much more likely version of the Seagal story where Seagal basically said that he couldn't be choked out (a relatively common boast for experienced martial artists), and Gene disagreed. So they tried it and, indeed, Gene was able to put him to sleep. The fact that, early on, Seagal had a rep for being a bit rough on stuntmen probably meant that Gene was a bit more motivated - that's all though. You can see how that would get Chinese-whispered into the over the top version I quoted. Gene himself denies any of it happened.

Nice review Vern, I will see it if only for the baby doll beating.

I watched pony tail in Above the Law last night. After re-watching it, Stevie really didn't have good bad guys to go against. I mean, the way he dispatched all of them 1-2-3 at the end there...granted, it was cool as fuck, but way too easy for a finale. I still chuckle everytime he drives the car through the building window. I mean, who doesn't get rid of bad guys that way?

I still haven't seen Pistol Whipped, but will shortly.

I read the book years ago, and though it would make a fine thriller.

I still wanna get Seagal and Van Damme in a movie together, just to watch those two prima donnas get into a bitch-fight in some "behind the scenes" featurettes and interviews.