Lawless: A hymn to how violence used to be
Sat, Sep 8 2012 04:20
| shia laBeouf, Nick Cave, films, film review, bare knuckle fighting, violence, street fight, lawless, tom hardy, weapons, Guy Pearce
| Permalink
Lawless is perhaps one of the best films I have seen for a very long time, for many reasons. There’s no getting around the fact that what could have been a star-studded dud, exceeds expectations and offers us a glimpse into a past we rarely consider. Albeit from a much safer place.
Based on a book, based on a true story the film is set in prohibition Virginia with a tangible of air of the authentic. In a time and a landscape both intoxicating and unforgiving it offers us an arena in which we all feel we know, but proves that most of us probably don’t. Tom Hardy seems to dominate this blogs film section of late and he comes into his own here. Much like his role as Bane here he also dominates the screen too as a brooding and menacing figure. Hardy plays the eldest Bondurant brother, the patriarch of a family gang of bootleggers and mentors in violence as he does in business.
The film is written by Nick Cave and the script is punctuated with a subtle acceptance of the consequences of breaking the law and making enemies of it with graphic and well placed depictions too. If the Wild West and all the retellings of it are revised, romantic, myths about the birth of America. Then the revisiting of the turbulent and desperate Depression era is surely the mythologising of the nation’s puberty. Stark demonstrations of effectively used brass knuckles, knives and honest gun fights make the point in visceral blood-spattered, scream-stifling, toe-curling fashion. It’s still Hollywood but without the lacquer we come to expect so often.
Compared to the slick, urban masterpiece of Michael Mann’s Public Enemies, Lawless doesn’t tread quite such familiar ground. Often we see films place “gangsters” as box office busting, flawed, semi-heroic, pedestal pacing, vessels of immorality. They sit beyond the social pariahs of their modern counterparts. Thanks to hindsight the names and the deeds of Al Capone, Dillinger et al. are well known folk tales. The comparatively obscure Bondurants are presented as opportunistic, rustic and greedy exponents of base desires and base actions – struggling with their own limitations and taking those assumed expectations and running with them.
It strikes me as interesting that Britons and British media prefers to downplay the violence of their forefathers, most people seem unaware of Victorian society’s relationship with the coshes, knives and bare-knuckle boxing which dominated it. Recent films are doing their best to remind us now and again, but ironically it’s not as high on the list as Dickensian rogues and the school Master’s cane. Class and power are far bigger preoccupations it seems.
American history and particularly American film strikes me as starting with the violence and working from there. Lawless is no different. Scenes are riddled with the audience seeing weapons concealed to be drawn later. Hardy offers us a real life example of confusing your opponent with questions to distract them before blindsiding them. The relentless nature of fight scenes within the film leaves us in no doubt how “real” the film makers intended them to be. Whether they succeeded or not, is something I’ll leave to you to gauge.
Martial artists these days often forget that weapons only stopped being the norm for many people relatively recently. We often think in terms of hand to hand combat, facing a weapon is rightly of extreme concern because we ourselves rarely if ever carry one. Society as a whole still has a lust and an urge for the days when that wasn’t the case, especially if the protagonists are that much more everyday. It’s important to reconcile the realistic with the reality, what’s likely with what’s entertaining and engaging. Every so often a film like Lawless comes along and gives everyone a meditation on reconciling those contradictions. Asking questions of us all, this is a film worthy of high praise and closer inspection.
Stepping In and Staying Out of it.
Sat, Oct 8 2011 06:39
| fighting, violence, street fight, fighters, self defence
| Permalink
In the last few years I’ve moved into working in two seemingly different arenas populated with people who both have a lot in common; security guards and teachers. You may furrow your brow at this but bear with me.
‘Bouncers’ as we unfairly like to call them and teachers both have one fundamental issue in common when at work – safety. Not just the safety of ourselves but of other people. People who; are often smaller than we are (but definitely not always), emotionally fragile and potentially volatile. Whether drunk on alcohol or puberty, those in our care hold one common threat over our heads. The real but often overplayed threat of unpredictable and sometimes violent behaviour towards their peers, their surroundings and us!
What can one do? The policy of your employers can often differ wildly from that of the law in Great Britain. Much to my own annoyance the fear of litigation from those who cause problems, instead of the protection of those expected to deal with it seems to dominate the mind of them upstairs all too often.
Practically if people begin to fight in front of you the smart move seems to be to keep a wide berth, but if you have by your role a duty of care, that’s not always practical or possible. As a person with a certain inferred authority in the club or the classroom onlookers often turn their gaze to you to end trouble confidently, competently and in time.
My first consideration is to scan the horizon, know your surroundings and what you’re getting into. I’ve seen and heard of plenty of ‘white knights’ getting a good kicking for poking their nose into what they thought was a fight but was more a heated argument.
You need to understand who is involved, where they are in relation to you and who is in what danger at that given moment (you included). Your first mechanism of control is your voice. A commanding voice and direct commands can be powerful.
When people descend into a rage particularly a violent one they regress into mere animals their humanity is pocketed away and they should be treated as such. Like dogs a stern short command can provoke an obedient reaction in people. The word “Stop!” at the correct volume with intent can often cause people to do just that and stop in their tracks, maybe even pausing for thought and deflating the momentum of vicious intent they’ve blown themselves up into.
If you’re feeling oddly sceptical yet brave try shouting it suddenly in a public space with a crowd and notice that almost everyone will at least acknowledge the verbal command to some degree. Even if it is only expressed by them suddenly peering at you like you’re deranged. We cannot help but to respond even non-verbally with a turn of the head or body, it’s conditioned into us almost from birth.
The next step is to move as quickly and powerfully as you can towards the incident. This does not mean into it but just towards it so you are at a safe but workable distance to control the situation.
The next decision you must then make is whether to make any kind of contact with those involved. Typically the situation will involve two people one the aggressor and one the victim (this term should not be as morally loaded as it is, they might have started it after all).
What you need to be looking for here is typically “animal behaviour”. Are they actually fighting or merely sizing each other up? In nature animals will open their mouths, spread claws, arms and wings to show off their size and potential for doing damage. Often the spectacle of intimidation is enough for most to avoid coming to blows in what may potentially be a deadly situation.
Humans are no different. We evolved to kill and maim just like any other beast. Look and listen but don’t focus on what is being said. We all talk shit when adrenaline kicks in and I’m not ashamed to say I’m no different.
Observe how both people move and what they are actually doing, a good fighter will predict an opponent’s move because he sees the step or feint before the technique. He doesn’t wait for it to belt him in the mouth before making a call. This is a skill anyone breaking up a fight needs to some degree.
Often adolescents and partygoers alike are actually waiting for someone else to break up the fight before it gets going. It preserves their ego if they showed gameness but were prevented from actually engaging because of an external agent.
Take the example of the Saturday Night Neanderthal being held back by his tiny girlfriend imploring him “leave it, ee’s not wurth it!” It’s possible his companion is the fight equivalent of Moses to his Red Sea, but unlikely. If you want to kill the other bloke you always find a way to get a crack at doing it in my experience.
Potentially by your presence and use of authority a situation may disperse there and then but what if it doesn’t? There is no shame in not getting in there, too often people do a “white knight” and end up needing saving and or stitches themselves. I quite enjoy it, I won’t lie. But I have both the ego and flaw of feeling comfortable around flying fists etc.
Do not feel you need to morph into Bruce Lee and kick ass. There’s nothing wrong with trying to limit a horrible situation to involving just two people instead of twenty or worse. Using your voice and keeping others at bay whilst sending someone to seek help from colleagues is both sensible and effective.
Don’t be scared to let them tire each other out too. Sometimes a scuffle while unpleasant is not that serious. Once they’re both knackered you can pull them apart relatively easily.
But I can sense I’m dancing around the big anxiety, the massive ‘what if’ of you getting your hands dirty and physically separating people? Well let’s start by saying there’s no secret choke hold, debilitating but non-lethal strike that bouncers and teachers can use like some kung fu magic wand. If there was I’d have wasted my time typing all this out thus far.
What you must remember is there is at least one and by now, probably two massive forces coming together through fear, instinct and aggression – stepping in the middle of that is idiocy. Getting punched by two people at the same time generally hurts, if they’re not aiming for you it always hurts a lot more. Sod’s law perhaps.
Pick one, doesn’t matter who, as long as you feel comfortable that you can move them and do just that. Take one of the combatants out of the equation. Drag them or push them clear trying to make sure it’s not off a ledge, into a road, a solid object or anyone else. You’d be surprised how effective this can be if done correctly. The other person has no one to attack so the fight ceases and normality can begin to filter back into the room.
This needs to be combined with verbal prompts “Stop! Come here! Stay there!” etc as is appropriate. Actions speak louder than words but using both makes a right din.
Now there is a reasonable chance at this point you may get hit either on purpose or accidentally. Sorry. But you can worry about that afterwards. If you’ve jumped in, best start swimming. Distance or lack of it is your friend here. The closer you are the less distance their flailing limbs can accelerate over before crashing into you. That means for all you non physicists that they can’t hit you with as much force.
Again this comes with the disclaimer that you must pick an angle that keeps you away from errant blows where possible. Use their fixation with the other person to your advantage and ‘blindside’ them. Walk in on an angle where they don’t see you until you already have hold of their shoulders and are levering them out of harm’s way.
Don’t go for some complicated finger lock of doom, grab the torso particularly the shoulders and manipulate their centre of mass so that they have no choice but to step with you. Practice on some if you can and you’ll see what I mean.
With those pesky lawyers in mind I wouldn’t focus on the throat, the face or anything which might come off or snap in a struggle. Something big and manageable is the best bet in the heat of the moment.
Once the threat of violence has been dissolved you must conflict manage the hell out of the room. Let one of the combatants leave, its best if they aren’t together in case they are like Rocky and set on churning out sequels. The higher authorities can deal with chasing down people if necessary. Where you can let those involved be escorted away to give statements and face punishment etc.
Your first priority is to yourself and the onlookers, returning the room to normal literally and figuratively is tough. The physical effects of adrenaline can take a while to subside. But it’s important you don’t collapse into a gibbering wreck – not immediately you might have homework to set or a turn on checking the bogs to do.
As soon as you can write a report and get witnesses to do the same. Get as many facts down on paper as possible. It clears you of any accusation and wrongdoing and allows the mess to be sorted quicker if those investigating can present as many facts as possible.
It may surprise you to know that in my view martial technique and skill is not important in these scenarios it’s intelligence and presence of mind to take swift and affirmative action which saves the day. Do what you can and what you know which will help.
Obviously I’m speaking very generally but if you have specific questions, scenarios or ideas you’d like me to cover please let me know. I’d be happy to!
‘Bouncers’ as we unfairly like to call them and teachers both have one fundamental issue in common when at work – safety. Not just the safety of ourselves but of other people. People who; are often smaller than we are (but definitely not always), emotionally fragile and potentially volatile. Whether drunk on alcohol or puberty, those in our care hold one common threat over our heads. The real but often overplayed threat of unpredictable and sometimes violent behaviour towards their peers, their surroundings and us!
What can one do? The policy of your employers can often differ wildly from that of the law in Great Britain. Much to my own annoyance the fear of litigation from those who cause problems, instead of the protection of those expected to deal with it seems to dominate the mind of them upstairs all too often.
Practically if people begin to fight in front of you the smart move seems to be to keep a wide berth, but if you have by your role a duty of care, that’s not always practical or possible. As a person with a certain inferred authority in the club or the classroom onlookers often turn their gaze to you to end trouble confidently, competently and in time.
My first consideration is to scan the horizon, know your surroundings and what you’re getting into. I’ve seen and heard of plenty of ‘white knights’ getting a good kicking for poking their nose into what they thought was a fight but was more a heated argument.
You need to understand who is involved, where they are in relation to you and who is in what danger at that given moment (you included). Your first mechanism of control is your voice. A commanding voice and direct commands can be powerful.
When people descend into a rage particularly a violent one they regress into mere animals their humanity is pocketed away and they should be treated as such. Like dogs a stern short command can provoke an obedient reaction in people. The word “Stop!” at the correct volume with intent can often cause people to do just that and stop in their tracks, maybe even pausing for thought and deflating the momentum of vicious intent they’ve blown themselves up into.
If you’re feeling oddly sceptical yet brave try shouting it suddenly in a public space with a crowd and notice that almost everyone will at least acknowledge the verbal command to some degree. Even if it is only expressed by them suddenly peering at you like you’re deranged. We cannot help but to respond even non-verbally with a turn of the head or body, it’s conditioned into us almost from birth.
The next step is to move as quickly and powerfully as you can towards the incident. This does not mean into it but just towards it so you are at a safe but workable distance to control the situation.
The next decision you must then make is whether to make any kind of contact with those involved. Typically the situation will involve two people one the aggressor and one the victim (this term should not be as morally loaded as it is, they might have started it after all).
What you need to be looking for here is typically “animal behaviour”. Are they actually fighting or merely sizing each other up? In nature animals will open their mouths, spread claws, arms and wings to show off their size and potential for doing damage. Often the spectacle of intimidation is enough for most to avoid coming to blows in what may potentially be a deadly situation.
Humans are no different. We evolved to kill and maim just like any other beast. Look and listen but don’t focus on what is being said. We all talk shit when adrenaline kicks in and I’m not ashamed to say I’m no different.
Observe how both people move and what they are actually doing, a good fighter will predict an opponent’s move because he sees the step or feint before the technique. He doesn’t wait for it to belt him in the mouth before making a call. This is a skill anyone breaking up a fight needs to some degree.
Often adolescents and partygoers alike are actually waiting for someone else to break up the fight before it gets going. It preserves their ego if they showed gameness but were prevented from actually engaging because of an external agent.
Take the example of the Saturday Night Neanderthal being held back by his tiny girlfriend imploring him “leave it, ee’s not wurth it!” It’s possible his companion is the fight equivalent of Moses to his Red Sea, but unlikely. If you want to kill the other bloke you always find a way to get a crack at doing it in my experience.
Potentially by your presence and use of authority a situation may disperse there and then but what if it doesn’t? There is no shame in not getting in there, too often people do a “white knight” and end up needing saving and or stitches themselves. I quite enjoy it, I won’t lie. But I have both the ego and flaw of feeling comfortable around flying fists etc.
Do not feel you need to morph into Bruce Lee and kick ass. There’s nothing wrong with trying to limit a horrible situation to involving just two people instead of twenty or worse. Using your voice and keeping others at bay whilst sending someone to seek help from colleagues is both sensible and effective.
Don’t be scared to let them tire each other out too. Sometimes a scuffle while unpleasant is not that serious. Once they’re both knackered you can pull them apart relatively easily.
But I can sense I’m dancing around the big anxiety, the massive ‘what if’ of you getting your hands dirty and physically separating people? Well let’s start by saying there’s no secret choke hold, debilitating but non-lethal strike that bouncers and teachers can use like some kung fu magic wand. If there was I’d have wasted my time typing all this out thus far.
What you must remember is there is at least one and by now, probably two massive forces coming together through fear, instinct and aggression – stepping in the middle of that is idiocy. Getting punched by two people at the same time generally hurts, if they’re not aiming for you it always hurts a lot more. Sod’s law perhaps.
Pick one, doesn’t matter who, as long as you feel comfortable that you can move them and do just that. Take one of the combatants out of the equation. Drag them or push them clear trying to make sure it’s not off a ledge, into a road, a solid object or anyone else. You’d be surprised how effective this can be if done correctly. The other person has no one to attack so the fight ceases and normality can begin to filter back into the room.
This needs to be combined with verbal prompts “Stop! Come here! Stay there!” etc as is appropriate. Actions speak louder than words but using both makes a right din.
Now there is a reasonable chance at this point you may get hit either on purpose or accidentally. Sorry. But you can worry about that afterwards. If you’ve jumped in, best start swimming. Distance or lack of it is your friend here. The closer you are the less distance their flailing limbs can accelerate over before crashing into you. That means for all you non physicists that they can’t hit you with as much force.
Again this comes with the disclaimer that you must pick an angle that keeps you away from errant blows where possible. Use their fixation with the other person to your advantage and ‘blindside’ them. Walk in on an angle where they don’t see you until you already have hold of their shoulders and are levering them out of harm’s way.
Don’t go for some complicated finger lock of doom, grab the torso particularly the shoulders and manipulate their centre of mass so that they have no choice but to step with you. Practice on some if you can and you’ll see what I mean.
With those pesky lawyers in mind I wouldn’t focus on the throat, the face or anything which might come off or snap in a struggle. Something big and manageable is the best bet in the heat of the moment.
Once the threat of violence has been dissolved you must conflict manage the hell out of the room. Let one of the combatants leave, its best if they aren’t together in case they are like Rocky and set on churning out sequels. The higher authorities can deal with chasing down people if necessary. Where you can let those involved be escorted away to give statements and face punishment etc.
Your first priority is to yourself and the onlookers, returning the room to normal literally and figuratively is tough. The physical effects of adrenaline can take a while to subside. But it’s important you don’t collapse into a gibbering wreck – not immediately you might have homework to set or a turn on checking the bogs to do.
As soon as you can write a report and get witnesses to do the same. Get as many facts down on paper as possible. It clears you of any accusation and wrongdoing and allows the mess to be sorted quicker if those investigating can present as many facts as possible.
It may surprise you to know that in my view martial technique and skill is not important in these scenarios it’s intelligence and presence of mind to take swift and affirmative action which saves the day. Do what you can and what you know which will help.
Obviously I’m speaking very generally but if you have specific questions, scenarios or ideas you’d like me to cover please let me know. I’d be happy to!
Celebrating Wing Tsun
Sat, Sep 17 2011 11:27
| cameron diaz, film review, sport, sammo hung, fighting, violence, fighters, celebrity, chike okeafor, ip man, strikes, donnie yen, jake gyllenhaal, martial arts, black belt, Wing Tsun Kung fu, jackie chan, martial arts Altrincham, Bruce Lee, robert downey jr
| Permalink
One of the many things that help spread a martial art is a celebrity endorsement. How many of these famous faces do you recognise? More to the point, how many of them did you know studied the martial art we all know and love?
Robert Downey Jr has been studying since 2003 (about as long as me!) and clearly loves it too. Check out Sherlock Holmes for sneaky bits and pieces chucked into the fight scenes.
The beautiful Cameron Diaz had to undertake an intense crash course for her part in Charlie's Angels. I'd happily roll with her if she's reading.
Apparently Mr Gyllenhaal undertook Wing Chun alongside other martial arts and training for his tranformation into the "Prince of Persia" for the Disney movie. I cannot guarentee that chain punches do this for your physique but it can't be a bad idea to give it a bash!
This is Chike Okeafor (no, me either) but he's a big name in the NFL which means loads of people who like that sort of thing will know who he is. Apparently his study of kung fu has helped him improve his techniques and physical skills for his job in the NFL. I'm not going to doubt it, all power to him in fact! Well done Sir.
If you don't know who this is kindly never come back here again........only kidding. Bruce Lee, the epitome of Wing Chun celebrity. A lot of schools good and bad use him to sell themselves and who can blame them? The guy was a pint-sized phenom of kick-ass shrieking wickedness. In fact I insist all of my students watch Enter the Dragon before they get to black tee-shirt or they fail their grading immediately. (This may not be true but it's not a bad policy, I'll consider it for the next grading).
This is Donnie Yen, playing Ip Man (a very famous late great Wing Chun deity) so yes he knows his onions. Whether he's as serious as this all the time, I wouldn't like to comment. Either way any kung fu geek worth his salt will be able to bore you silly about how good Mr Yen is. Check him out.
This is Jackie Chan - probably more famous than Jesus and more likely to sock you in the face. He's awesome, I love him. It's a massive shame that to be successful in the Western world he's been patronised into being a comedy version of himself because back in the day he was untouchable in the chop-sockey game. For the closest thing to "real" martial arts choreographed for the camera this man's where's it. All Hail Jackie!
This is Sammo Hung, a blue-blooded pedigree of kung fu film. If you don't know who he is look him up. Watching him do kung fu is like seeing an elephant do a handstand. It makes no sense but it looks very cool!
Apparently Mr Gyllenhaal undertook Wing Chun alongside other martial arts and training for his tranformation into the "Prince of Persia" for the Disney movie. I cannot guarentee that chain punches do this for your physique but it can't be a bad idea to give it a bash!
This is Donnie Yen, playing Ip Man (a very famous late great Wing Chun deity) so yes he knows his onions. Whether he's as serious as this all the time, I wouldn't like to comment. Either way any kung fu geek worth his salt will be able to bore you silly about how good Mr Yen is. Check him out.
This is Jackie Chan - probably more famous than Jesus and more likely to sock you in the face. He's awesome, I love him. It's a massive shame that to be successful in the Western world he's been patronised into being a comedy version of himself because back in the day he was untouchable in the chop-sockey game. For the closest thing to "real" martial arts choreographed for the camera this man's where's it. All Hail Jackie!
This is Sammo Hung, a blue-blooded pedigree of kung fu film. If you don't know who he is look him up. Watching him do kung fu is like seeing an elephant do a handstand. It makes no sense but it looks very cool!
The Expendables: Movie Review
Sat, Aug 21 2010 03:40
| action, martial arts, movie review, expendables, violence, martial arts Altrincham, weapons
| Permalink
When I saw the promo poster for this in the foyer of my local cinema months ago it brought a wry smile to my face. An ensemble cast like this one has to be one of note for anyone vaguely into martial arts, action movies or a good old silver screen dust up. From the demi-god that is Jet Li to the MMA exploits of Randy Couture the “serious” martial arts snob is catered for, as well as those who grew up with the Hollywood exploits of Stallone, his heir apparent Statham, the forgotten man of Dolph Lundgren or the WWE's former poster boy Steve Austin all brought together with cameos from Arnie and Willis to top it off. There is some serious money and pedigree on offer here when it comes to action movies and it really shows.
This film knows it isn't a serious piece of art and treating it as such is a waste of time. With Stallone leading, writing, producing and directing it to various degrees it really is his project and the fact that friends from all over his career pop up such as Rourke and Lundgren gives it a nice feel. The simplistic and rather nonsensical story is precluded by a lovely set piece involving Somali pirates, laser sights and questions about the moral fibre of both mercenaries and pirates alike. It links together a typically American sense of moral crusading and political patronising of the generic foreign stereotype. This roots the Expendables very firmly in the action flick's 80's heyday. The ghosts of Rocky and Rambo stalk this film and the spectrum of weapons from Statham's impressive knife-work to the sublimely ridiculous explosive rounds sending viscera and enemies flying across our screens are as enjoyable as they are cartoonish in their use.
What's really on offer here is a chance to see top class choreography, a blend of styles and approaches and a nod to all the clichés going. Biased as I may be the fight scene between Li and Lundgren is truly a nasty little gem of a sequence. From Li's fast paced “happy feet” style sending kicks, punches and acrobatics at the giant Lundgren is pretty cool and quite enough to make anyone envious and for his part Dolph sends in the sort of punches and vicious attacks that make it all the more exciting.
Since that 'golden' era of the 80's, films like the Bourne and Batman series' have raised the bar in close-quarter fight sequences and technically speaking the Expendables does its bit. Lots of stomps to the knees, summary executions (axe kick to the chin from Statham anyone?) and flowing mixes of hand to hand and gun play in the later set pieces give this film something different. The more surprising parts are perhaps the way in which for all their limited acting the “wrestlers” that are Couture and Austin take star turns when their time comes.
As silly as the endless spinning and body-slams are in reality; on screen they make compelling viewing and the stunt team must take a bow. While there perhaps isn't much here in to compare to “proper fighting” or ideas to bring to training you and a few mates will probably end up trying one of the moves some point soon. Compared to Statham's slightly odd John Wayne-like retribution against a domestic abuser who steals and beats his girlfriend the wrestlers are unfortunately shown up a bit. The nasty and fast paced brutality depicted on the basketball court is as superb as it is gratuitous. For those of you with some time to kill I recommend reading any interviews with Statham – his outlook, philosophy and training advice make him someone I've grown to respect hugely.
There are questions over the need for this film released in the wake of the Losers and A-Team respectively but this one swaggers in late and arrogantly and perhaps has much more to grab your attention. The cast is bigger (in every sense, some of those t-shirts were screaming trying to contain all that testosterone) the action more graphic, the storyline more redundant and the technical aspects excellent. While it may have a rickety old plane; a massive slice of Southern Rock in the soundtrack and lots of dodgy dialogue; machismo, and some cod naval gazing encasing the violence; boisterous energy and casual sexism, for those of you who want to see things blow up and people get messed up – you won't go far wrong here.
This film knows it isn't a serious piece of art and treating it as such is a waste of time. With Stallone leading, writing, producing and directing it to various degrees it really is his project and the fact that friends from all over his career pop up such as Rourke and Lundgren gives it a nice feel. The simplistic and rather nonsensical story is precluded by a lovely set piece involving Somali pirates, laser sights and questions about the moral fibre of both mercenaries and pirates alike. It links together a typically American sense of moral crusading and political patronising of the generic foreign stereotype. This roots the Expendables very firmly in the action flick's 80's heyday. The ghosts of Rocky and Rambo stalk this film and the spectrum of weapons from Statham's impressive knife-work to the sublimely ridiculous explosive rounds sending viscera and enemies flying across our screens are as enjoyable as they are cartoonish in their use.
What's really on offer here is a chance to see top class choreography, a blend of styles and approaches and a nod to all the clichés going. Biased as I may be the fight scene between Li and Lundgren is truly a nasty little gem of a sequence. From Li's fast paced “happy feet” style sending kicks, punches and acrobatics at the giant Lundgren is pretty cool and quite enough to make anyone envious and for his part Dolph sends in the sort of punches and vicious attacks that make it all the more exciting.
Since that 'golden' era of the 80's, films like the Bourne and Batman series' have raised the bar in close-quarter fight sequences and technically speaking the Expendables does its bit. Lots of stomps to the knees, summary executions (axe kick to the chin from Statham anyone?) and flowing mixes of hand to hand and gun play in the later set pieces give this film something different. The more surprising parts are perhaps the way in which for all their limited acting the “wrestlers” that are Couture and Austin take star turns when their time comes.
As silly as the endless spinning and body-slams are in reality; on screen they make compelling viewing and the stunt team must take a bow. While there perhaps isn't much here in to compare to “proper fighting” or ideas to bring to training you and a few mates will probably end up trying one of the moves some point soon. Compared to Statham's slightly odd John Wayne-like retribution against a domestic abuser who steals and beats his girlfriend the wrestlers are unfortunately shown up a bit. The nasty and fast paced brutality depicted on the basketball court is as superb as it is gratuitous. For those of you with some time to kill I recommend reading any interviews with Statham – his outlook, philosophy and training advice make him someone I've grown to respect hugely.
There are questions over the need for this film released in the wake of the Losers and A-Team respectively but this one swaggers in late and arrogantly and perhaps has much more to grab your attention. The cast is bigger (in every sense, some of those t-shirts were screaming trying to contain all that testosterone) the action more graphic, the storyline more redundant and the technical aspects excellent. While it may have a rickety old plane; a massive slice of Southern Rock in the soundtrack and lots of dodgy dialogue; machismo, and some cod naval gazing encasing the violence; boisterous energy and casual sexism, for those of you who want to see things blow up and people get messed up – you won't go far wrong here.
Bats and Blades
Thu, Apr 29 2010 02:25
| kung fu, martial arts, knife crime, violence, martial arts Altrincham, weapons, self defence
| Permalink
Since man first stood upright you can bet one of the first tools he fashioned was not designed to gather mastery over mother nature but instead over fellow man. Weapons of all shapes, sizes, materials go back as far humans do pretty much. Life and society has been violent long before our species could express many other feelings or ideas.
As with the man's innate violence, our desire to survive and flourish have combined and combusted at regular intervals throughout our lives and the lives of our forebears. The knowledge and fear of weapons is as instinctive as it real for all of us.
For many the fear of a stranger taking a knife, bottle, bat, stick, hammer etc. or worse a firearm and using it against is widely acknowledged and sometimes discussed publicly. However our home is full of far worse weapons that are more likely to be used against us – unfortunately. Domestic violence and resultant deaths from kitchen knives, blunt objects even dumb bells in a current case in the news have wreaked serious harm and death on people in every day scenarios from people they know well.
One only has to look at the amount of gun related deaths in the USA to see that not all of them are the results of criminal activity or intent but often passionate and tragic accidents that wreck lives and families alike.
Most people spend months and years just learning to overcome simple punches to safely evade the deadly aspect of a knife or blunt instrument at the end of a person's arm takes much much longer. In all honesty such a holy grail as effective and risk free defence rarely exists. Even in more martial societies of feudal warriors and professional soldiers in days gone by; taking on an armed assailant without a weapon was an extreme scenario and rare event I'd wager.
I've had a knife produced on two occasions and both times I didn't fight back, in one case losing an insured phone and £10 was worth the embarrassment and probing questions of “but you're a kung fu teacher?” It helped me become more informed about myself and what I can and should do.
I always say to my students “fingers and internal organs are hard to replace” and that is my advice in general on this topic. Unless there is a real chance or instant where your life might lost then simply don't fight back. Why encourage or invite the loss of life or serious injury for the sake of material goods? The most frightening encounter was being cornered by two men when drunk who wanted to mug me. The knife wasn't produced until I floored one with a single punch. It was clear I escalated the situation in their minds and the deterrent of a knife was necessary for them.
Unless you are a soldier in a battle field you have no practical need to invite or deal with someone trying to stab you. So the majority of your training and anxiety should not be consumed by this scenario. It is rather fun messing about with plastic knives in training and seeing just what is possible and in your reach. I would say however the drunken brawler is by and large the most common and most dangerous predator for most of us.
Some students even ask about the practicalities of carrying a weapon of some sort themselves. I reject this out of hand. Apart from a rape alarm for women you should not need to live your life with such an accessory in my book. It also brings to mind the adage of “bringing a knife to a gun fight” think of the escalation I mentioned earlier and what that would do to petty thieves if they knew we were all concealing knives as well. Gun crime would become epidemic overnight or worse.
If push comes to shove and someone does produce a weapon my basic advice is this.
As with the man's innate violence, our desire to survive and flourish have combined and combusted at regular intervals throughout our lives and the lives of our forebears. The knowledge and fear of weapons is as instinctive as it real for all of us.
For many the fear of a stranger taking a knife, bottle, bat, stick, hammer etc. or worse a firearm and using it against is widely acknowledged and sometimes discussed publicly. However our home is full of far worse weapons that are more likely to be used against us – unfortunately. Domestic violence and resultant deaths from kitchen knives, blunt objects even dumb bells in a current case in the news have wreaked serious harm and death on people in every day scenarios from people they know well.
One only has to look at the amount of gun related deaths in the USA to see that not all of them are the results of criminal activity or intent but often passionate and tragic accidents that wreck lives and families alike.
However whenever I ask students particularly newer ones, to offer forward a self defence scenario they'd like to learn a solution for. 90% of the time the response is “how do I deal with a knife?”. Knife crime has been falling nationally, and sadly rising within inner city London this year. But people are genuinely (and rightly) scared of being stabbed by a stranger in the street for the sake of money/possessions.
It's a fear and notion easily preyed on by some less scrupulous “martial arts” experts who charge people decent sums of money for a weekend of “knife defence” and other such guff. Quite frankly they give us all a bad name.
Most people spend months and years just learning to overcome simple punches to safely evade the deadly aspect of a knife or blunt instrument at the end of a person's arm takes much much longer. In all honesty such a holy grail as effective and risk free defence rarely exists. Even in more martial societies of feudal warriors and professional soldiers in days gone by; taking on an armed assailant without a weapon was an extreme scenario and rare event I'd wager.
I've had a knife produced on two occasions and both times I didn't fight back, in one case losing an insured phone and £10 was worth the embarrassment and probing questions of “but you're a kung fu teacher?” It helped me become more informed about myself and what I can and should do.
I always say to my students “fingers and internal organs are hard to replace” and that is my advice in general on this topic. Unless there is a real chance or instant where your life might lost then simply don't fight back. Why encourage or invite the loss of life or serious injury for the sake of material goods? The most frightening encounter was being cornered by two men when drunk who wanted to mug me. The knife wasn't produced until I floored one with a single punch. It was clear I escalated the situation in their minds and the deterrent of a knife was necessary for them.
This is the reality more often than not. People using weapons often don't really know how and when to use them and therefore are unpredictable. In panic or uncertainty they can stab and slash wildly which means attempting a defence is nigh on impossible and very risky.
Some of you may be disappointed or upset by this view. However I ask you to consider how often you have or will face such a scenario? Really, think about it. When that time comes god forbid, it is much better to lose money than honour or much worse.Unless you are a soldier in a battle field you have no practical need to invite or deal with someone trying to stab you. So the majority of your training and anxiety should not be consumed by this scenario. It is rather fun messing about with plastic knives in training and seeing just what is possible and in your reach. I would say however the drunken brawler is by and large the most common and most dangerous predator for most of us.
Some students even ask about the practicalities of carrying a weapon of some sort themselves. I reject this out of hand. Apart from a rape alarm for women you should not need to live your life with such an accessory in my book. It also brings to mind the adage of “bringing a knife to a gun fight” think of the escalation I mentioned earlier and what that would do to petty thieves if they knew we were all concealing knives as well. Gun crime would become epidemic overnight or worse.
If push comes to shove and someone does produce a weapon my basic advice is this.
- Maintain space, use your environment to make a barrier between you and the weapon – a coat, a bar stool, fire extinguishers all have their uses.
- Make yourself SEEN and HEARD. Attract as much attention as possible so everyone is looking not at you but the idiot brandishing a broken bottle or blade towards you. These cowards will most likely flee if they feel easily identified and vulnerable.
- NEVER try to grab the weapon or put your hands near it. Pin the arm at the elbow if you absolutely have to and try to disable the attacker immediately by striking their face/groin or knees etc.
- Always throw the weapon away from you and the attacker. If you didn't bring it you're probably not ready to use it and it will hamper or distract you. Our hands do far more damage than we give them credit for.
- GET OUT and GET CLEAR as soon as possible. Quite simply run! If you're not there you can't get hurt.