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I just saw the screener. I've been tracking this film because there's been such good buzz. I'll likely interview some cast member in April for its premiere in May for KFM.
This is one of the most engaging martial arts flicks I've seen in a while. It's heartfelt - a dramedy that captures the spirit of suburban Kung Fu with charm and reverence. Three old disciples reunite after their master's mysterious death. It's witty and observant for Kung Fu practitioners.
The cast is mostly unknowns - Ron Yuan as the Sifu, Yuji Okumoto (Chozen from the Karate Kid) as a waiter (he was a producer), Matthew Page (Master Ken) in a show stealing gwailo sifu role. I didn't recognize the three leads at all.
The wackiest thing is that a little Kung Fu brother of the cf's and mine does utility stunts - Ron Raymundo - he was just a punk kid when we knew him. Turns out his got a handful of stunt credits on IMDb now.
The fight choreo is solid. Director Quoc Bao Tran is a protégé of Corey Yuen.
The comic timing is a tad amateur, but it works. It's the story and characters that make it engaging. Maybe I'm just on the rebound after Jiu Jitsu, but it was refreshing to see.
No sword fights. There's a pudao fight, but it's not that impressive. DOOM recommended.
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07-19-2021, 10:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-19-2021, 10:20 AM by Drunk Monk.)
(03-22-2021, 10:03 PM)Drunk Monk Wrote: DOOM recommended.
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I'm in.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm
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My interview was more informative... https://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/art...ticle=1591
I'm gonna claim 'called it' bragging rights.
Quote:The Martial Arts Comedy That's Heating Up On Netflix's Top 10
Well Go USA Entertainment
BY DEVON FORWARD/AUG. 11, 2021 11:03 AM EDT
While Hollywood has an ugly history of presenting whitewashed, stereotypical stories of diverse cultures — especially when it comes to martial arts – recently, more and more stories created by and for people of color are getting made and appreciated as they should. Whether it's "Black Panther," "Parasite," or lesser-known films like "Burning" and "Sorry to Bother You," there are a lot of fantastic movies these days that are bringing diversity and accurate representation to the screen, while also simply being great stories. A new movie that was just released on Netflix is sure to be added to that list, and that's "The Paper Tigers."
Never thought you wanted to see three out of shape middle-aged men fight kung-fu? While think again. In "The Paper Tigers," a 2021 film directed by Tran Quoc Bao, three men, well-known and feared as "The Three Tigers" in their youth for their skill in kung fu, must work together years later to hunt down the person responsible for their teacher's death. The new comedy film was released on Netflix on August 7, 2021, and it stars Alain Yu as Danny, Ron Yuan as Hing, and Mykel Shannon Jenkins as Jim, the titular Tigers who must get their act together quickly to help their late mentor. The movie wowed critics after originally premiering at the Fantasia International Film Festival in August 2020, earning a 98% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 58 reviews, and now it's finally getting the opportunity to shine in front of a wider audience.
As a film that almost didn't get made, "The Paper Tigers" is killing it on Netflix right now, and it's likely only the start.
The Paper Tigers is a hilarious and heartfelt story of lifelong friendship
Well Go USA Entertainment
In "The Paper Tigers," longtime friends Danny, Hing, and Jim must return to their kung fu legacy to get justice for their old teacher, Sifu Cheung, played by Roger Yuan. A lot of cast members in the film have an extensive history working as actors, stunt coordinators, or choreographers in movies and television, with Yuan even appearing in "Shanghai Noon" with Jackie Chan. Speaking with The Daily Beast, Tran revealed that Hollywood offered to only make his film if they made the lead character white, to be played by someone like Bruce Willis. Thankfully, Tran didn't cave, going through the difficulty of finding other funding through avenues like Kickstarter in order to make the movie on his own terms, and clearly it paid off.
"The Paper Tigers" is a truly hilarious story that focuses on the lifetime friendship of the three main characters. The movie has a lot of obvious references to older martial arts films while also feeling fresh and innovative, proving that there's still plenty of originality left in popular genres like this one, as long as the right creators are in charge. Jessica Kiang of Variety put it very well when she declared the "irresistibly good-humored" film — which happens to be Tran's directorial debut — to be "a diverting blend of Hong Kong and Hollywood that delivers, on a slender, Kickstarter-enhanced budget, a rousing roundhouse hug to both traditions." So if you are looking for a heartwarming comedy film to take your mind of other troubles, the underdog story of "The Paper Tigers" is the perfect pick.
Read More: https://www.looper.com/484676/the-martia...paign=clip
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The Weekend is coming up and I will be on my own.....
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm
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I hate to say it, but I enjoyed this film. Once you are done with your spit takes, I will continue.
It's a very simple story, but it's effective. The camerawork and cinematography is all very straight forward. The director just lets the actors act and fight without a lot of showy camerawork to emphasize everything. I did question the motivations of a lot of things. Why would you demonstrate a kick if you can't move your leg? But the story chugs along. There is a lot of shoutouts to going to the other dojos for challenge matches which I liked.
This is the kind of film I think I could make which is also why it was appealing.
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I watched this again because I wanted to see the Martial Club scene which is early in the film, and got engaged enough to see it all the way through. Still very enjoyable. Funny, heartfelt, and good fight scenes.
Halfway through watching it, the director shared my article on the Martial Club and EEAAO on Facebook. That was cool. I felt EW’s coverage, which I said felt like a scoop on the EEAAO thread, was fresher with the interviews but mine was funnier.
This film is still on Netflix and highly D00M recommended. Special note to the CFs - watch for a quick cameo of our shidi Ron Raymundo who was also on utility stunts.
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Finally saw this a couple nights ago just before DM made mention of meeting one of its producers down at SDCC. Nothing much to add.
The reason it took me so long is that LCF expressed interest, but would never commit to a view date. Finally watched it alone.
I'm nobody's pony.
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I would think LCF would enjoy it too. It speaks well to Kung Fu peeps of our generation, don't you think?
Their panel was packed. They were so delighted. They also showed a clip from the upcoming sequel to 47 Ronin - a fight scene that they asked us not to record or share. One of the actors is involved with that. I was delighted to get a selfie with everyone in the cast and the director. Daniel Mah, one of the fight crew Martial Club that's not in the movie was there - he's a Bak Sil Lum guy and he just finished the BSL10.
I was most delighted to get a selfie with Master Ken. That' the best one.
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