http://www.lovehkfilm.com/blog/roninonempty/?p=304 Musings from the Edge of Forever Tue, 05 May 2026 08:48:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 http://www.lovehkfilm.com/blog/roninonempty/?p=304#comment-6915 Mark M Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:31:16 +0000 http://www.lovehkfilm.com/blog/roninonempty/?p=304#comment-6915 As a former fan of Van Damme, I look back on the movies he made at the beginning of his carreer with a lot of excitement. But since Time Cop it went downwards. Although I did like his 3 collaborative productions with Hong Kong directors. But it is because of his own unwillingness to develop for which he blames others. John Woo still is the master of its craft, but due to Hollywood rules the movie was trimmed down from its actual form, resulting in a medium movie (Woo could have tried Europe considering the freedom in movie-making, but back to China was the best move). Van Damme hasn't developed any new moves or techniques to entertain the audience. Just look at what Scott Adkins has achieved till sofar in so little time. Van Damme can act (acceptable) and does know how to charm an audience. I saw two interviews in France where he did a funny Stallone impression, but if you think further, he was actually mocking Stallone, an actor who has dearly earned his respect. And The Expendables, is just a fun project of a get together of a bunch of macho guys. However this movie might turn out: THEY HAD FUN MAKING IT!!! And you can see that chemistry and energy work on screen! When was the last time Van Damme enjoyed a production like this? With a big crew, a simple story and just old friends teaming up to do something great!? To a smaller extent it was when he was working in Hong Kong or Hong Kong directors. I hope Van Damme starts having fun again with making movies and tones down his attitude towards other people in the industry. As a former fan of Van Damme, I look back on the movies he made at the beginning of his carreer with a lot of excitement. But since Time Cop it went downwards. Although I did like his 3 collaborative productions with Hong Kong directors. But it is because of his own unwillingness to develop for which he blames others. John Woo still is the master of its craft, but due to Hollywood rules the movie was trimmed down from its actual form, resulting in a medium movie (Woo could have tried Europe considering the freedom in movie-making, but back to China was the best move). Van Damme hasn’t developed any new moves or techniques to entertain the audience. Just look at what Scott Adkins has achieved till sofar in so little time. Van Damme can act (acceptable) and does know how to charm an audience. I saw two interviews in France where he did a funny Stallone impression, but if you think further, he was actually mocking Stallone, an actor who has dearly earned his respect. And The Expendables, is just a fun project of a get together of a bunch of macho guys. However this movie might turn out: THEY HAD FUN MAKING IT!!! And you can see that chemistry and energy work on screen! When was the last time Van Damme enjoyed a production like this? With a big crew, a simple story and just old friends teaming up to do something great!? To a smaller extent it was when he was working in Hong Kong or Hong Kong directors. I hope Van Damme starts having fun again with making movies and tones down his attitude towards other people in the industry.

]]> http://www.lovehkfilm.com/blog/roninonempty/?p=304#comment-6911 TheGoldenRock Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:58:37 +0000 http://www.lovehkfilm.com/blog/roninonempty/?p=304#comment-6911 A totally unrelated, self-serving comment: Woo got that doctorate at my film school. He gave a "master class" to earn it. Too bad it was in Mandarin. A totally unrelated, self-serving comment: Woo got that doctorate at my film school. He gave a “master class” to earn it. Too bad it was in Mandarin.

]]>