cult film freak: jean-claude van damme

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Written by James M. Tate / 12/10/2024 / No comments / adolfo quinones , cannon , comedy , harry caesar , ice-t , jean-claude van damme , lucinda dickey , michael chambers , musical , sabrina garcia , sequel

DEFENDING THE BREEZY SEQUEL 'BREAKIN 2': ELECTRIC BOOGALOO'

<p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CMdlSLCAtz2c5Mmq1faLghHh0vag2791PpV2KAI9Ub45bbMwWD8Vkw9ErDAEBrtj97TeAgAZc7ud3PiRi_rRF2NyZ2fQ8vEe31cUeYVF1yZ3JEoPPbZNQgqQIjraluDUlaMGkCQlihmYInhuCSfECbcgT56-bbxhTqlpRm_m6DxdB1YGRlBxfgOMuDHh/s1840/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-11%20at%2012.29.33%20AM%202.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CMdlSLCAtz2c5Mmq1faLghHh0vag2791PpV2KAI9Ub45bbMwWD8Vkw9ErDAEBrtj97TeAgAZc7ud3PiRi_rRF2NyZ2fQ8vEe31cUeYVF1yZ3JEoPPbZNQgqQIjraluDUlaMGkCQlihmYInhuCSfECbcgT56-bbxhTqlpRm_m6DxdB1YGRlBxfgOMuDHh/s16000/Screen%20Shot%202024-12-11%20at%2012.29.33%20AM%202.jpeg"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Title: BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO Year: 1984 Rating: ***</u></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Cannon Films' BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO  was rushed out the same year of the original's box office success, yet is more of a “Musical Based on The Film" (or a failed attempt at the first episode of a TV-series based on the film) than a necessary followup on its own... </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Fantasy sequences replace the former urban, realistic street grooves and back-room competitions: In fact, within the first five minutes the entire downtown is dancing… including mailmen, cops, everyone... </p><p><span></span></p>

adolfo quinones, cannon, comedy, harry caesar, ice-t, jean-claude van damme, lucinda dickey, michael chambers, musical, sabrina garcia, sequel

DEFENDING THE BREEZY SEQUEL 'BREAKIN 2': ELECTRIC BOOGALOO'

Title: BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO Year: 1984 Rating: *** Cannon Films' BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO was rushed out the same...

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME SERVES A PRISON 'DEATH WARRANT'

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>JCVD battles Al Leong in Death Warrant YEAR: 1990</u></td></tr>
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When a movie begins with the action hero saying, "He killed my partner," there's gonna be some bloodshed, followed by a one-liner; in this case, "You're under arrest," which is not that ironic or humorous except the guy Jean Claude Van Damme's speaking to is completely unconscious and almost dead...<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Lighten Up, Conrad Dunn</u></td></tr>
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This catapults into yet another <i>Cop Sent Into Prison Undercover</i> flick (investigating random inmate deaths) that's better than most, especially given the relatively low budget and tier-two actors including bully guard Art LeFleur, YOUNGBLOOD starlet Cynthia Gibb as the planted "wife" and especially the late  Robert Guillaume (Benson on SOAP and BENSON), who, like Morgan Freeman a few years later in THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, is a convicted killer that acquires goods and most important, information (to a white innocent inmate) that, in both cases, can help an "innocent" white guy...<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyoDPPt9cJUEa4Bcku5vVU9_Ax4vCKWV_nivE3LvPfftqxRaY4PyYNMc6N8m82_L23EmmF_EneeZ_zNnoWrDnOwZe87BpGZiysZ-Jq1N2fJ9Gx8cA3nK-thMwVErGTaN5tfZI1QE7u0dq/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="416" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyoDPPt9cJUEa4Bcku5vVU9_Ax4vCKWV_nivE3LvPfftqxRaY4PyYNMc6N8m82_L23EmmF_EneeZ_zNnoWrDnOwZe87BpGZiysZ-Jq1N2fJ9Gx8cA3nK-thMwVErGTaN5tfZI1QE7u0dq/s200/5.jpg" width="133"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>MovieScore: ***1/2</u></td></tr>
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Yet it's nothing too easy since Claude Van Damme's Louis Burke, during the best scenes, aided by quirky cellmate Conrad Dunn... who played Francis "Psycho" Sawyer in STRIPES and almost looks more like TAXI DRIVER Travis Bickle than Robert De Niro... must visit various cellblocks in the dark, dingy, fitfully claustrophobic prison to gather name-after-name and thankfully, a few neat fights occur along the way: One in particular, with another familiar face to the 80's tough guy realm, Al Leong, is a face-kicking standout.<br>
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Like all Action or Prison flicks, there's only so far the buildup can go before the sh-t hits the can: in this case when signature b-villain Patrick Kilpatrick returns from the prologue and, sadly, the intriguing prison flick becomes a desperate fight for survival as the proverbial rocks tumble down at top speed. A shame since the gathering moss was so damn entertaining.<br>

conrad bain, cynthia gibb, jean-claude van damme, nineties, prison, robert guillaume

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME SERVES A PRISON 'DEATH WARRANT'

JCVD battles Al Leong in Death Warrant YEAR: 1990 When a movie begins with the action hero saying, "He killed my partner," the...

SLY STALLONE LEADS THE EXPENDABLES 2

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>year:</b> 2012 <b>cast: </b>Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Chuck Norris, Dolph Lundgren <b>rating:</b> ***1/2</td></tr>
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At the point where Jason Statham, posing as a cloaked priest inside a darkened church, reveals he’s mercenary Lee Christmas and, flashing a blade, says to his impending foe: “I now pronounce you man and knife,” any corny dialogue doesn’t matter.<br />
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Not even when Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross, after blasting a group of baddies, mutters “Rest in pieces,” does the cringe meter rise. Because in this second (and far superior) outing of THE EXPENDABLES, there are plenty of cool action scenes – and a simple yet dependable plot about stolen plutonium that can destroy the world.<br />
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With enough gunshots and explosions to fill a dozen action movies, this teamup, also including Dolph Lundgren as the spaced-out giant Gunner and newcomer Nan Yu as the female tekkie, works fine together. And putting the usual time-running-out plot aside, this is really about revenge after the youngest member of the group is murdered by the villain (named Vilian) played by Jean-Claude Van Damme.<br />
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So the big question: do legendary tough guys Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and “Lone Wolf” Chuck Norris have worthy input... or are they merely glorified cameos?<br />
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A little of both: as sporadic guest stars they come and go – but each has a few memorable gun-wielding scenes to matter. And with all the extra muscle including Terry Crews, Jet Li and Randy Couture, this is director Stallone’s ride. He's super pissed like RAMBO and yet, despite the heavy odds, remains in complete control.

2012, action, chuck norris, jason statham, jean-claude van damme, sequel, sylvester stallone

SLY STALLONE LEADS THE EXPENDABLES 2

year: 2012 cast: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Chuck Norris, Dolph Lundgren rating: ***1/2 At the point where Jason Statham, posi...

Written by James M. Tate / 3/21/2012 / No comments / action , eighties , jean-claude van damme , karate

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME IN KICKBOXER

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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">year: 1989 rating: ***</td></tr>
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Don’t listen to what anyone says: Jean-Claude Van Damme <i>is</i> a pretty good actor. Pretending to be the naive younger brother of a far superior kick boxing champ, the action hero, known for his abundant ego, plays humble to the max. His big bro (Dennis Alexio) is crippled in a seedy backroom bout in Muay Tai by villainous rival “Tong Po,” a mohawked villain who plays tribal music as he circles his prey.<br />
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Van Damme, aided by an African American Vietnam Vet, seeks training from a wise old sage and, like KUNG FU before and KILL BILL 2 after, the revenge-driven student goes through a torturous training session at a rural outpost, learning a method of kickboxing that you can’t get anywhere else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENqi_Dwi7CKPFD5zF__9nChUWoSWYATvphhHkdaK2OmH2KYVT1acAkAWu270wAdvrwfWUT27KVLbHnZ7Fi3VP9S0I-ij-IawnzOuSGH745O9LYMqL1ajjhgKnaSTAN1x_PI4mhhrqjSo/s1600/EAGLE2.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENqi_Dwi7CKPFD5zF__9nChUWoSWYATvphhHkdaK2OmH2KYVT1acAkAWu270wAdvrwfWUT27KVLbHnZ7Fi3VP9S0I-ij-IawnzOuSGH745O9LYMqL1ajjhgKnaSTAN1x_PI4mhhrqjSo/s200/EAGLE2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature's Dojo</td></tr>
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This takes up most of the film, including terrific montage scenes as Van Damme gains strength, agile, and wisdom. And when the local mob moves in, the student proves his worth to protect a local love-interest.<br />
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The exterior locations are beautiful and the fight scenes occur sporadically enough to appease hardcore action fans. There’s a significant story-arc as Van Damme morphs from lamb to lion, and it’s not easy. Especially after the bad guys kidnap his wheelchair-bound brother and Van Damme must survive the final match with Tong Po, while the side characters, never resorted to filler status, need to pull off a last minute rescue for our hero to turn the tables in the ring – to win the match and to save his life.

action, eighties, jean-claude van damme, karate

JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME IN KICKBOXER

year: 1989 rating: *** Don’t listen to what anyone says: Jean-Claude Van Damme is a pretty good actor. Pretending to be the naive young...

Written by James M. Tate / 2/02/2012 / No comments / action , bolo yeung , geoffrey lewis , jean-claude van damme , karate , nineties

DOUBLE IMPACT

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaq9OVR2ZH6Sh4qeHoeiIj8PqWf_I6E4aCvK3aEYER5JMO5K544gvfF6eP6rflQpOgdWr72YzIhc4DZIwcWEik99exmr0u7x0P3sj8EudKwLliEu807ErdTkD2fj0jcv6oUQkw9ALeL-0/s1600/vandammes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaq9OVR2ZH6Sh4qeHoeiIj8PqWf_I6E4aCvK3aEYER5JMO5K544gvfF6eP6rflQpOgdWr72YzIhc4DZIwcWEik99exmr0u7x0P3sj8EudKwLliEu807ErdTkD2fj0jcv6oUQkw9ALeL-0/s1600/vandammes.jpg" /></a></div><b>title:</b> DOUBLE IMPACT<br />
<b>year: </b>1991<br />
<b>cast:</b> Jean-Claude Van Damme, Geoffrey Lewis<br />
<b>rating:</b> ***<br />
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If one Jean-Claude Van Damme was never enough, here's the movie for you: a decent action flick beginning with two infants separated during a bloody shootout in Hong Kong… Their father did a favor for a mobster who didn’t need his services any longer. Thanks to Geoffrey Lewis as a bodyguard turned uncle, one of the brothers, who winds up a pretty boy karate instructor to rich, horny women in Los Angeles, is saved. But he’s drawn back to cutthroat Hong Kong where he meets his shady twin, an arms dealer who couldn’t be more different. Together, along with Geoffrey Lewis and of course a beautiful love interest, they take on the mob boss who killed their parents, and even with two Dammes, it won’t be easy. The best scenes involve the milquetoast brother getting tougher through various fights, especially with the iconic ENTER THE DRAGON badass Bolo Yeung (fitfully scarred-up from the opening scene, making him even more intimidating). But the crooked brother, who had so much promise as a rogue maverick in the beginning, becomes but a jealous whiner as his put-upon lady starts preferring Abel to Cain. It’s a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and there’s an abundance of insert/close-ups that lead one to believe the budget wasn’t too high. But the characters are interesting enough to care about and it’s the fights that matter, occurring enough to appease hardcore karate buffs.

action, bolo yeung, geoffrey lewis, jean-claude van damme, karate, nineties