Hairdye, Jackie Chan, and Candle Wax
THE GOOD:
Decided to touch up my hair, and I picked an exact match for my summer hair colour. Hooray! Also trimmed bangs with sewing scissors, which is not recommended, but they look pretty good. Hooray!
Got yet another Andy Warhol book I was supposed to have received a month ago, bringing my personal Warhol book collection to approximately fifteen. I think I like Warhol a little bit. :)
SheilaSim is the most popular downloaded Sim at britpoptarts.4shared.com this week. Congratulations, SimShay!
Got to see dubbed version (is there any other?) of "Rumble In The Bronx" and my Inner Boy reveled in Jackie Chan-ness! I love Jackie Chan.
Most American movie-goers have probably heard of Jackie Chan, but have never actually seen any of his movies. The original Hong Kong martial arts stunt-master, who rose to fame following the death of martial arts legend Bruce Lee during the late 1970s and early '80s, has done enough in the 29 years since the breakthrough of "Drunken Master" (1978) to become an action tour de force entirely of his own making.
But 1995's "Rumble in the Bronx" was not the first time American audiences got to see Chan in action. He had made appearances in the "Cannonball Run" series and received his first American starring role in "The Big Brawl" (1980), and later starred in "The Protector" (1985), where American studio bosses hyped him up to be Bruce Lee's logical successor. Unhappy with his work in the United States (because he couldn't practice his slap-happy kung-fu antics and humor and trademark death-defying stunt-work), he retreated back to Hong Kong where he continued to dazzle audiences on his home soil with his own unique brand of action.
With "Rumble in the Bronx," directed by Stanley Tong, Chan decided to give America another chance, and for once we were ready (1998's "Rush Hour," which paired him with comedian Chris Tucker, would show that Chan is here to stay). Although the edited American version of the film is the reason why I believe studio execs here should not be allowed anywhere near the original prints of foreign films, it is not as bad a hack-job as it could have been. You can deal with the bad dubbing (even though there is still a considerable amount of English-language dialogue) and easy-to-spot goofs (the Game Gear with no game), but the frantic action scenes and Chan's stunt-mastery make up for all the negatives.
In a plot somewhat resembling Bruce Lee's "Return of the Dragon" (1972), "Rumble in the Bronx" finds Chan as a young man named Keung, who takes over his uncle's Bronx, New York, USA (actually Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), grocery store while the man is away on his honeymoon. A pretty entrepreneur named Elaine (the late Chinese songstress Anita Mui) has just bought a piece of the store, and asks that Keung help out. But when violent gang members begin harassing them, it's when Keung puts his feet and fists to work. However, murders linked to stolen diamonds and a bunch of shadowy men-in-black throw the plot into overdrive, eventually culminating in a chase with a hovercraft (don't ask, just watch) through the streets of Vancouver, dragging poor (but very brave) Chan behind it.
As you can see, the plot doesn't matter much (not even the tender scenes between him and wheelchair-bound Morgan Lam, or his gang member sister Francoise Yip) but it serves up a perfect excuse for plenty of scenes featuring Jackie Chan doing a number on many brave stunt-men and women, and taking a licking himself. He's proof-positive of what every true action star should be, in that he'll do anything to please his fans. Chan's Mr. Nice Guy persona and trademark stunts are what allowed him to elevate himself above Bruce Lee after his death. The only reason you'll watch "Rumble in the Bronx" is to see star Jackie Chan in action, but it's not the only reason you'll watch his other films, because those are just as good too.
Ash's "Kung Fu (Jackie Chan)" was the soundtrack for the "blooper and injury" reel. Ha!
THE BAD:
Found out yesterday that I'm back to step one as far as signing up for summer classes. I have to take at least two, or lose my school loan allotment. It has now been nine weeks of hell, and the class I found as a last minute fourth choice replacement got dropped. Then financial aid told me, as predicted, I was dropped from my loan program, but they would work to get me back on for the fall. The the bursar billed me nearly $3000 for one class.
Georgia Department of Revenue has not been made aware of inheritance tax laws, apparently, or I was given shitty advice. They want $2500. The hell?
Sims 2 is not working properly, and I had all week to mess about with it, and couldn't. I am bummed.
Can't seem to log in to MySpace to let radio show listeners know I am taking June off. Ugh! Will have to catch up on two weeks of "WTF?!" mails, spam, and pr0n when I start class Monday night.
I managed to kill a peace lily. Plant-loving folks will realize how difficult this is to do, and will scoff in my general direction. I am bad with plants. The don't make noise or move around to attract attention when they are thirsty or hungry.
THE UGLY:
House leaked copiously in a new location yesterday. Hooray. Ruined a pair of suede boots, as it leaked into a closet. I am displeased. Fucking house. This is getting old.
It is also cage scooping day. The horror! The horror! Ferret pewpz iz narshtee.
I think I've gained weight in my bum area. I am further displeased. Or my jeans shrunk. Either / or, I do not like.
A roach viciously attacked me in the living room when I opened the front door to get my mail. Flew at my newly blondified head, so I freaked the hell out. Lo, he is slain. I hate roaches. Verily.
Grandmother's ancient burgundy satin comforter has started to fall apart and shed feathers and what looks like sawdust all over my bedroom. Argh!
During the power outage, I almost ran out of candles, and had to break into my reserves. Alas, one candle was made of a super drippy wax, which overflowed its holder and dripped off the table it was on and landed onto a synthetic fibre rug, fusing itself permanently there, because the heat of the wax melted the fibres. Gaah!! When I move, the rug will probably not move with me. Damn it. It also ruined a pair of cheap flip-flop shoes, but they were on their last legs anyway, so it gave my frugal ass a reason to throw them out. I only wore them to putter around the house, anyway.
Decided to touch up my hair, and I picked an exact match for my summer hair colour. Hooray! Also trimmed bangs with sewing scissors, which is not recommended, but they look pretty good. Hooray!
Got yet another Andy Warhol book I was supposed to have received a month ago, bringing my personal Warhol book collection to approximately fifteen. I think I like Warhol a little bit. :)
SheilaSim is the most popular downloaded Sim at britpoptarts.4shared.com this week. Congratulations, SimShay!
Got to see dubbed version (is there any other?) of "Rumble In The Bronx" and my Inner Boy reveled in Jackie Chan-ness! I love Jackie Chan.
Most American movie-goers have probably heard of Jackie Chan, but have never actually seen any of his movies. The original Hong Kong martial arts stunt-master, who rose to fame following the death of martial arts legend Bruce Lee during the late 1970s and early '80s, has done enough in the 29 years since the breakthrough of "Drunken Master" (1978) to become an action tour de force entirely of his own making.
But 1995's "Rumble in the Bronx" was not the first time American audiences got to see Chan in action. He had made appearances in the "Cannonball Run" series and received his first American starring role in "The Big Brawl" (1980), and later starred in "The Protector" (1985), where American studio bosses hyped him up to be Bruce Lee's logical successor. Unhappy with his work in the United States (because he couldn't practice his slap-happy kung-fu antics and humor and trademark death-defying stunt-work), he retreated back to Hong Kong where he continued to dazzle audiences on his home soil with his own unique brand of action.
With "Rumble in the Bronx," directed by Stanley Tong, Chan decided to give America another chance, and for once we were ready (1998's "Rush Hour," which paired him with comedian Chris Tucker, would show that Chan is here to stay). Although the edited American version of the film is the reason why I believe studio execs here should not be allowed anywhere near the original prints of foreign films, it is not as bad a hack-job as it could have been. You can deal with the bad dubbing (even though there is still a considerable amount of English-language dialogue) and easy-to-spot goofs (the Game Gear with no game), but the frantic action scenes and Chan's stunt-mastery make up for all the negatives.
In a plot somewhat resembling Bruce Lee's "Return of the Dragon" (1972), "Rumble in the Bronx" finds Chan as a young man named Keung, who takes over his uncle's Bronx, New York, USA (actually Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), grocery store while the man is away on his honeymoon. A pretty entrepreneur named Elaine (the late Chinese songstress Anita Mui) has just bought a piece of the store, and asks that Keung help out. But when violent gang members begin harassing them, it's when Keung puts his feet and fists to work. However, murders linked to stolen diamonds and a bunch of shadowy men-in-black throw the plot into overdrive, eventually culminating in a chase with a hovercraft (don't ask, just watch) through the streets of Vancouver, dragging poor (but very brave) Chan behind it.
As you can see, the plot doesn't matter much (not even the tender scenes between him and wheelchair-bound Morgan Lam, or his gang member sister Francoise Yip) but it serves up a perfect excuse for plenty of scenes featuring Jackie Chan doing a number on many brave stunt-men and women, and taking a licking himself. He's proof-positive of what every true action star should be, in that he'll do anything to please his fans. Chan's Mr. Nice Guy persona and trademark stunts are what allowed him to elevate himself above Bruce Lee after his death. The only reason you'll watch "Rumble in the Bronx" is to see star Jackie Chan in action, but it's not the only reason you'll watch his other films, because those are just as good too.
Ash's "Kung Fu (Jackie Chan)" was the soundtrack for the "blooper and injury" reel. Ha!
THE BAD:
Found out yesterday that I'm back to step one as far as signing up for summer classes. I have to take at least two, or lose my school loan allotment. It has now been nine weeks of hell, and the class I found as a last minute fourth choice replacement got dropped. Then financial aid told me, as predicted, I was dropped from my loan program, but they would work to get me back on for the fall. The the bursar billed me nearly $3000 for one class.
Georgia Department of Revenue has not been made aware of inheritance tax laws, apparently, or I was given shitty advice. They want $2500. The hell?
Sims 2 is not working properly, and I had all week to mess about with it, and couldn't. I am bummed.
Can't seem to log in to MySpace to let radio show listeners know I am taking June off. Ugh! Will have to catch up on two weeks of "WTF?!" mails, spam, and pr0n when I start class Monday night.
I managed to kill a peace lily. Plant-loving folks will realize how difficult this is to do, and will scoff in my general direction. I am bad with plants. The don't make noise or move around to attract attention when they are thirsty or hungry.
THE UGLY:
House leaked copiously in a new location yesterday. Hooray. Ruined a pair of suede boots, as it leaked into a closet. I am displeased. Fucking house. This is getting old.
It is also cage scooping day. The horror! The horror! Ferret pewpz iz narshtee.
I think I've gained weight in my bum area. I am further displeased. Or my jeans shrunk. Either / or, I do not like.
A roach viciously attacked me in the living room when I opened the front door to get my mail. Flew at my newly blondified head, so I freaked the hell out. Lo, he is slain. I hate roaches. Verily.
Grandmother's ancient burgundy satin comforter has started to fall apart and shed feathers and what looks like sawdust all over my bedroom. Argh!
During the power outage, I almost ran out of candles, and had to break into my reserves. Alas, one candle was made of a super drippy wax, which overflowed its holder and dripped off the table it was on and landed onto a synthetic fibre rug, fusing itself permanently there, because the heat of the wax melted the fibres. Gaah!! When I move, the rug will probably not move with me. Damn it. It also ruined a pair of cheap flip-flop shoes, but they were on their last legs anyway, so it gave my frugal ass a reason to throw them out. I only wore them to putter around the house, anyway.