Member AlbertV Posted February 15, 2008 Member Share Posted February 15, 2008 The trailer from this new movie is up: http://movies.aol.com/movie/redbelt/30128/video/trailer-no-1/2069634 Stars Chiwetel Ejifor, Tim Allen, Emily Mortimer, Joe Mantegna, Randy Couture and who looks like Rorion Gracie. Directed by David Mamet The plot revolves around a jujitsu expert who gets himself involved in the life of a faded action star as well as legal matters involving a UFC-style tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member SlothStyleKungFu Posted February 27, 2008 Member Share Posted February 27, 2008 Ehhhh. Mamet hasn't exactly shown himself off as much of an action director and its pretty low budget, so you can count me as highly skeptical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Alex Posted February 27, 2008 Member Share Posted February 27, 2008 I'm choosing to look at this from teh positive perspective, as in maybe Mamet will inject some depth into a very old and stale tournament fighting premise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member daisho2004 Posted September 18, 2008 Member Share Posted September 18, 2008 This was a review from Amazon.com so I figured why mess with it because he left a great review of this movie, I got to watch it today and I did enjoy it, not to much action if really any but a very good story. I'd recommend you watch this movie. More a Riveting Character Study than an Action film, September 2, 2008 By Woopak "The THRILL" (Where Dark Asian Knights Dwell) - See all my reviews Mixed Martial Arts have been in the spotlight ever since the emergence of UFC and some Hollywood films such as the Karate Kid clone "Never Back Down" (which I have also reviewed) have attempted to capitalize on its popularity. Writer/director David Mamet's "REDBELT" may well be the best U.S. filmmakers have come up with in regards to the world of Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. The film is about honor and integrity, it cleverly blends the Japanese "code of the Samurai" into the dark side of the world of corruption in competitive sports. The film offers something to think about and for martial artists, it can get under your skin. Mike Terry (Cheitel Ejiofor) is a well-respected but struggling teacher of Jiu-Jitsu. Terry has his own code of honor and would rather be poor than to compromise his integrity, much to the dismay of his wife Sondra (Alice Braga). His life intertwines with a student/policeman, a fragile young attorney (Emily Mortimer) and a hotshot actor named Chet Frank (Tim Allen). Frank becomes a witness to Terry's fighting skills when he assists him resolve a barroom brawl, and offers him and his wife a business arrangement. However, things go from bad to worst, his ideas are stolen and certain things may well force Terry to compete for money--something he does not believe in. Rather than focusing on dynamic, jaw-dropping action sequences, "Redbelt" is more a riveting character study of one man. The film may be simple in terms of plot and some key elements may be a little unoriginal, but the storytelling is structured well and the script does provide the necessary emotions to add to its effectiveness. The old adage; "Good Guys finish last..." may come to mind, but what that phrase doesn't complete is that "..but good guys also guarantees their soul.." and I believe in that. The film is nicely paced and the proceedings does exactly what it is trying to say. While Terry is admired by students and other folks, his strong integrity may just hamper his success when it comes to the real world of money and material needs. Mike Terry is a man torn between his principles and his obligations. I truly love his principle of "competition is not a fight, I teach my students to prevail but not necessarily to fight". I also admired Mamet's definition of what exactly a "black belt" represents philosophically and that a belt is just something to hold up your pants. The film is a real densely executed character study and the spirit of martial arts, and of course, textbook manipulations would occur that would lead to its gripping encounter. The film does offer some of the most realistic fight sequences I've seen on camera. The moves are on display as Terry fights for his goal, although Asian martial arts films will provide a more entertaining experience. I've read that actor Cheitel Ejiofor trained in London, under Carlos Gracie in his academy, and the man definitely owned his role. This was a very good advantage as it did help the actor be more convincing in his role, since he did train in one of the best schools of Jiu-Jitsu. He knows the moves and it showed that he does, I bet the stunt coordinators appreciated this fact as it would be easier to choreograph the art's very complex moves. REDBELT also delves into the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu as well as the way of the samurai, and it also explores the corruption of money-driven competition; "everything that involves money is fixed" (we all know this but we just tend to deny it). The film shows money-driven competition's ugly face, and it is a very bleak view that is similar to the world of boxing. Quite a real gutsy move in the part of David Mamet. Surprisingly, Tim Allen does a great job as Chet Frank, at first impression, I thought he was miscast but he fit his role. Emily Mortimer may seemed a little "doopie" in the beginning but she also contributes to the film's emotional impact. The film does have a solid cast that reflects its solid direction. Mamet definitely knew what he wanted to do with the film, the man wants to communicate the integrity and honor of a good man in a very cynical and materialistic world and he does so; the film is structured well and the writing is sharp. The circumstances that led to Mike being pushed to a corner was convincing enough and the links between the characters were credible. The spirit of Jiu-Jitsu is treated as if it is "hallowed ground" when it is within the confines of Terry's school; men and women can find themselves inside while leaving the real world behind. The film's climax may leave some audiences asking for more and some may even say it seems a bit too cheesy, but if you were paying attention to its entirety, it does make a fitting ending. The climactic fight that occurs outside the ring does effectively represent just what Mike Terry stands for. "RedBelt" may not have that many sequences of fisticuffs and those who are looking for an abundance of choreographed martial arts are better off looking elsewhere. However, if you are looking for a character-driven, thinking man's martial arts drama, then this film will not disappoint. REDBELT effectively portrays the beliefs and the philosophy of martial arts. As someone often told me; "the measure of a man is not to be judged with the size of his wallet, but what he holds in his heart; if he works hard enough and never compromises his beliefs and integrity, then he is beautiful..." Recommended! [4- Stars] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member GwaiLoMoFo Posted September 18, 2008 Member Share Posted September 18, 2008 MAJOR SPOILERS!! Thought this shoulda been better. I enjoyed the way the Jiu-Jitsu was portrayed throughtout the entire film. But....too many damn twists and turns and subplots ruined it. Not that its hard to follow, just gets annoying. Woulda been great if Mamet woulda kept it simpler. The whole Tim Allen subplot was terrible, shoulda been left out. I liked the part with the lady lawyer, how he helps her with her fears. The part with the cop commiting suicide was poorly executed (no pun intended). The end was ridiculous, with all the security (and everyone in the arena) watching a guy in street clothes break in and fight the Brazilian champion (outside the ring). And when the master hands him the belt in the ring at the end....... cheesy! Lots of good ideas there, just terrible direction by Mamet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Running Man Posted September 18, 2008 Member Share Posted September 18, 2008 Good acting and script. Horrible fights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tigerstyles Posted September 18, 2008 Member Share Posted September 18, 2008 damn good film see what you mean about the end fight though.. twists n subplots..loved em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Chinatown Kid Posted September 19, 2008 Member Share Posted September 19, 2008 I've gotta see this film, it sounds like more of a story focused movie with a little MA action as desert. I like that this is a movie with a little deeper message than the usual MA flick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Running Man Posted September 19, 2008 Member Share Posted September 19, 2008 If the analogy of MA being the desert of this film is applied, then it would be like a cake that's gone spoiled for months. The action in the movie is horrible. I've said this before on another thread, but had this movie had the quality of action of something like Flash Point, and if that movie had Redbelt's script, then this could have been a true classic. As is, it's an interesting martial arts film and nothing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tigerstyles Posted September 19, 2008 Member Share Posted September 19, 2008 i think the director intentionaly made the fight scenes less focused and concentrated on story, it wasn't a martial arts film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Running Man Posted September 19, 2008 Member Share Posted September 19, 2008 It was a martial arts film. David Mamet is a better writer than he is a director. The fights were bad because he doesn't know how to film them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tigerstyles Posted September 19, 2008 Member Share Posted September 19, 2008 your not getting it are you, because your a bit thick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Running Man Posted September 19, 2008 Member Share Posted September 19, 2008 Redbelt is a martial arts movie. Martial arts movies are about martial arts. It's not about how many fights are in it or how good or bad the fights are in a movie. This is why something like My Father Is A Hero is an action movie whereas Fearless is a martial arts movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Chinatown Kid Posted September 20, 2008 Member Share Posted September 20, 2008 I would guess that practioners of Brazillian Jiujitsu would appreciate the fight scenes more because they have a better understanding of the moves portrayed. I'm thinking they went for realistic rather than flashy MA because they wanted authenticity? Usually realistic MA doesn't look that exciting on film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member The Running Man Posted September 20, 2008 Member Share Posted September 20, 2008 It has nothing to do with a lack of flashy moves. I'm talking about the shots and editing. It's horrible. And a better choreography wouldn't have hurt either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Rebornman Posted September 20, 2008 Member Share Posted September 20, 2008 I liked this movie alot and I thought the fight scenes and story rocked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator thekfc Posted September 20, 2008 Moderator Share Posted September 20, 2008 It have been sitting on my shelf - things to watch - I will give it a go later in the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Tigerstyles Posted September 21, 2008 Member Share Posted September 21, 2008 evryone liked it, end of Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Chinatown Kid Posted September 21, 2008 Member Share Posted September 21, 2008 I've ordered my copy and look forward to seeing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member GwaiLoMoFo Posted September 21, 2008 Member Share Posted September 21, 2008 evryone liked it, end of I didnt like it, it frustrated me because it coulda been very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Kung Foolery Posted June 30, 2011 Member Share Posted June 30, 2011 LOL at everybody who thinks this is a "martial arts movie". I suppose The Seventh Seal is a chess movie? LOL It's a drama about some characters who happen to be mixed martial artists. The action is NOT a character in this movie. When the action is a character, then it is a "martial arts movie". Oh, so I found this blu ray for $1.99, couldn't pass up. Mamet is a great writer. Great movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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