Action, Action and a little more Action.

Recently it came to my attention that I haven't exactly been doing as much research as I could for an upcoming script I'm working on. It's an action script, which I'm planning to write, direct and edit. To say this is a massive undertaking would be a massive understatement.
Anyway, I decided to go on an action film extravaganza and indulge in some of the best low-budget/high-budget/blockbuster/hong-kong cinema action movies ever made.  Drawing a blank as one usually does when in search of a movie, I took to the net to dig up some gems. Unfortunately, their top ten lists just don't balance out with what I wanted. There's a lot of fan wank out there, and people seem to be afraid to leave the quintessential films off their lists. In answer to this disaster I present:

MEAGAN'S UBER ULTIMATE ACTION FILM *TOP TEN LIST

*please note that I am liable to change my mind at any moment and for any reason, and these really AREN'T presented in any order. Also, I feel like I should note that I fully understand that there are dozens of glorious films that just didn't make the list.  (also, yes I can count, I'm aware that there are 12 films listed below. Deal with it.)
TYFYT.

1) WaSanGo (aka Volcano High) - Tae-Gyun Kim
    One of the greatest Korean movies to ever be dubbed into a comedy by a bunch of rappers and MTV. This movie is a guilty pleasure that I'm definitely not guilty about loving. It has also inspired countless North American shit fests such as my favorite disaster The Covenant, and the horrible Dragon Ball live action film.


2) Police Story - Jackie Chan
    It's all about the stunts. Real people, doing real stupid shit. Nuff said.

3) Hard Boiled - John Woo
    This film changed the way action movies are filmed, and edited. Not to mention it completely re-wrote how action sequences are choreographed. On top of all that, it's hard to not get behind a protagonist who not only successfully smokes with a toothpick in his mouth, but also keeps the same toothpick there until the end of a violent gun fight.

4) Aliens - James Cameron
   It's a well known fact that while Alien is a horror film, James Cameron's Alien is a full on action film. Featuring one of the most magical actors ever, besides Sigourney Weaver that is, Micheal Biehn. Who starred in Terminator, Planet Terror, not to mention a ton of other epic films. Basically, this movie made the list because it's scary, it's an edge of the seat kinda movie. Once it grabs you in the opening scene it never lets go even after the credits are rolling.
 

5) Sin City - Robert Rodriguez
    This movie is great. Probably the best comic book adaptation ever. Equal props have to be given to Frank Miller who not only wrote, but also inked and colored the graphic novel, because Rodriguez literally took half the shots straight off the page. It goes to show you how a green screen and cgi can make a movie, rather than be the crutch that causes the film to fail.

6) Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair - Quentin Tarantino
    If you thought the parts individually rocked, see my blog below. This will blow your socks off.

7) The French Connection - William Freidkin
   Just go watch this one, you'll get it.

8) Die Hard - John McTiernan
     John McClain has a rough Christmas, Action movies are once again completely re-stylized, and running around bare-foot never seemed like such a bad idea. The Everyman finally wins, and evil English guys are always worse than American ones. I think there's just something sinister about that accent.... ;-)

9) Smokin' Aces - Joe Carnahan
   While not a widely accepted movie and found a little hard to follow,  Joe Carnahan's Smokin' Aces makes the list for it's enginuity, it's originality, and the fact that the new Captain Kirk place the freakiest fucking Nazi skin head since Edward Norton in American History X. Favorite scene? When the elevator doors open, and all hell breaks loose between the different hitman all out to get Buddy Israel.

10) Fist Of Legend - Gordon Chan
     Jet Li vs an entire Dojo.
    
11) Independence Day - Roland Emmerich
    Will Smith was on fire as far as choosing epic films. Anything that combines Action with attacking aliens is pretty much good in my book. Plus, you cant help but love those epic speeches that make you feel like Aliens planning to destroy your entire race aren't really any match for a bunch of ex-military dudes and a drunk in a crop duster. (see original ending.....)

12) The Karate Kid - Harald Zwart
   I went in about to strangle Jackie Chan for his treachery, and smack Will Smith for destroying my childhood. I left wondering why Daniel-son (wtf...) was such a wuss and how the fuck wax-on wax-off taught him anything when clearly Jacket-on Jacket-off is where it's at.

Honorable mentions go to: Bloodsport, Pitch Black, The Fast and the Furious, The Last Dragon, Anything Jackie Chan, The Transporter, Speed, The Matrix, Indiana Jones (all of em), Commando... and anything else I feel like giving a shout out to, or for that matter forgot to mention....


What makes your list?

The Whole Bloody Affair

There is one man who shows us again and again why the Hollywood machine is a detriment to Cinema. Quentin Tarantino. He is truly brilliant, and when he delivers a four hour movie complete with an intermission, the studio lucky enough to have that treat land in their laps should sit back and just let it happen.
Last night I had the ultimate privilege of going to my favorite L.A. theater, the Beverly Cinema to see Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair screened in it's entirety. The exact same film reels used at the Cannes Film Festival, complete with French subtitles. It was in a word, GLORIOUS. I owe a slap to whoever made him hack and cut this into two parts. Now don't get me wrong, Kill Bill Vol:1 & 2 are amazing. Up to this point, I really couldn't see how the complete version could have been that much better. I obviously am seriously lacking in imagination.

First of all, it was unrated. No MPA imposed b&w over the slaughter of the Crazy 88's. Which was extended on top of that fact and really, you miss so much of the art and effort put into that scene. There are some magnificent, ridiculously long, shots which follow characters around and switch perspectives all in a seamless movement. The animated origin of O-Ren Ishii is extended and shows some truly brutal carnage.My favorite aspect of seeing this film in it's original form is the fact that while split in two the second film seemed lacking, when released as one film the story and the arc and the plot all moves along perfectly. The structure is perfect, everything is awesome. This really needs to be released on DVD or Blue-Ray so that everyone can experience it.

Also, according to Tarantino, Kill Bill 2 (or 3 depending on how you look at it...) will take place 10 years after the resolution of the original film. Giving B.B. Time to grow and have a normal life. I'm hoping, that she'll be right beside her mother kicking ass, cause that kid had a sadistic side. Who's with me?

Another reason to love Los Angeles:

I suppose in any other era not speaking to someone, or in this case updating a blog, for a week wasn't anything to sneeze at. However in modern times, a week is almost a lifetime. There has been a lot of upheaval in MeaganLand though, so you'll have to bear with me. Things might be settling into a more coherent form of crazy soon.

As for what I've been up to, I found and moved into a new apartment here in LA with a classmate from film school. Which is far nicer than the tumultuous arangments of the past few months. BunnyGate 2011 included. (details if you want em, but suffice it to say I don't understand the appeal of having pet bunny rabbits....)
I ran into critically acclaimed Director David O. Russell, who did such movies as The Fighter, and Three Kings. Who was rather nice, just don't ask me how I feel about his film I Heart Huckabees, because I am not a fan.....

There was also a pre-release screening for a film, which I am unable to technically blog about because I signed legal wavers. :-( Rest assured as soon as the movie actually comes out, you will be the first to know. However, I'm hoping that it gets rescued because the cut that I saw unfinished though it was can't even be classified as a hot mess. It was a disastuh. 

Tonight marks yet another film screening. One that I've been looking forward to for literally YEARS. Back in 2003 (i believe) Quentin Tarantino screened his movie Kill Bill at Cannes. In it's entirety. It was subsequently chopped and re-edited into two parts. Tonight though, I get to witness The Whole Bloody Affair. Tarantino's original cut, with extended animation sequences, and from what I've heard a colored version of the slaughter of the Crazy 88's.

I literally can't wait, I'm so excited.
You may expect my full gushing review soon enough. I might need a while to digest the awesome tonight is sure to bring. Speaking of Tarantino, I was in Hollywood today and went into Amoeba Music. Which is pretty much the best music/dvd store in the city. They happen to have sections dedicated to certain actors or directors in their catalogue and how can seeing something like this not make your day?

  

I'll leave you with this. One day, I'll have my very own section. Until then, I'll see you around.