HERO - JET LI

[jsniderfamily]

Just watched the movie today and I think it is as good as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.  The colors are extraordinary, the plot a little more well thought out than CTHD, and the fight sequences are brilliant.

[Achilles]

I am excited to see "House of Flying Daggers" here soon. I have read that it is much better then Hero or Crouching Tiger.

[jsniderfamily]

A preview of daggers was shown in the Ocean 12 movie recently.   In HERO they had arrows shooting in mass through the air.   In this one it is daggers.  Cool!

[Achilles]

Yes, there are daggers shown flying through the air. However, the best scenes is the fight in the Bamboo Forest. I hear it is incredible.

[BillyTucci]

Visually, I don't believe "Crouching Tiger..." comes anywhere near that of "Hero" which is simply the most beautiful film I've ever seen.

I'm looking forward to seeing "House..." myself.

[jsniderfamily]

I think in HERO when the 2 women were fighting in the forest and the leaves were used as potential weapons was the best part.
Second was deflecting the arrows on the rooftop.
The SHI movie could have 2 women fighting.  Maybe an urban feel would be hard to make beautiful, but it would be a good challenge vs a forest.  A botanical garden maybe.   Central Park might be a good scene.
Any thoughts?

[BillyTucci]

I think in HERO when the 2 women were fighting in the forest and the leaves were used as potential weapons was the best part.
Second was deflecting the arrows on the rooftop.
The SHI movie could have 2 women fighting.  Maybe an urban feel would be hard to make beautiful, but it would be a good challenge vs a forest.  A botanical garden maybe.   Central Park might be a good scene.
Any thoughts?

I feel the same way about the fight scene.  That's why I've tried to keep Tomoe in the film and the Botanic Gardens.  Mimi has an idea for the film that limits anything Japanese until film's end.  I don't agree, but we're having another meeting  Monday.  I don't know...

[Delvie]

I think in HERO when the 2 women were fighting in the forest and the leaves were used as potential weapons was the best part.
Second was deflecting the arrows on the rooftop.
The SHI movie could have 2 women fighting.  Maybe an urban feel would be hard to make beautiful, but it would be a good challenge vs a forest.  A botanical garden maybe.   Central Park might be a good scene.
Any thoughts?

Personally, I am hoping somehow the story can be as close to the original WOTW as possible. In which case, Tomoe & Shi battling on the bridge would be awesome. I thought DareDevil did a good job of making some attractive City scenes (IMHO).

I haven't seen Hero yet. I wanted to see it in theaters. I get home in a week. But I've already been informed that Elektra trumps my choices. I also need to see what's playing @ the imax. Last time I was home, it was Polar Express 3-d. I wouldn't mind seeing it, but not @ $25 per person. It seems that a new movie is playing on the imax every month, so hopefully, a better selection will be playing. I am still a bit upset that PE was Imax & The Incredibles wasn't. That I would have seen on Imax.

[Delvie]

I feel the same way about the fight scene.  That's why I've tried to keep Tomoe in the film and the Botanic Gardens.  Mimi has an idea for the film that limits anything Japanese until film's end.  I don't agree, but we're having another meeting  Monday.  I don't know...

Does Mimi even get Shi?

[suryanijan]

Good question.

[BillyTucci]

http://www.flyingfistranch.com/gallery/fans/superscary

Funny photo here.

[BillyTucci]

http://www.flyingfistranch.com/gallery/fans/UD_Dance

Here's a link to Beau's website and a photo of my little sister in law's University of Delaware Dance Team.  Didn't want to lose a post count.  And had to remove the original for obvious reasons.

[Achilles]

Hi Billy:

In order to have your film look as good as the quality in Hero you need to get the cinematographer that made that all possible. He is Australian, and his name is Christopher Dolan. He speaks fluent Chinese and of course English. He usually works on Chinese films only. He is arguably the best cinematographer in the world. I loved his response why he likes to film Asian actresses women over caucasian women. He says it is easier to light them and make them look fantastic. He's a pretty funny guy.

I think both Shi and Tomoe need to have the duel. It would be a highlight and if anyone is interested in pleasing the fans of Shi, then they should incorporate Tomoe into the script. Mimi should be able to understand that Batman had the Joker and Shi needs Tomoe.

[BillyTucci]

Hi Billy:

In order to have your film look as good as the quality in Hero you need to get the cinematographer that made that all possible. He is Australian, and his name is Christopher Dolan. He speaks fluent Chinese and of course English. He usually works on Chinese films only. He is arguably the best cinematographer in the world. I loved his response why he likes to film Asian actresses women over caucasian women. He says it is easier to light them and make them look fantastic. He's a pretty funny guy.

I think both Shi and Tomoe need to have the duel. It would be a highlight and if anyone is interested in pleasing the fans of Shi, then they should incorporate Tomoe into the script. Mimi should be able to understand that Batman had the Joker and Shi needs Tomoe.

Oh, my dear boy, how right you are...  I've been waiting in the wings playing the good soldier that I am for way too long.  I will (on Monday) push forward all my thoughts and sensilbilities for the film.  I know that if I could helm this film and hire Dolan, I would make a Shi film better than any one on this here planet.  Again, I am doing my best, but it's an uphill battle all the way.

Pray for me, and us all...

[dawnsawaking]

I love what you have for the movie and how you want it to go.  I so agree that Thome needs to be in this movie.  I also want to commend you Billy in all the work and heart that you are putting into this.  I know I watch a lot of movies and I cant think of the actors name but he played Dective Woo in the Television show on TNT for  Witchblade.  I think he is a good actor not a huge name but his face is out there now I just noticed that he is in the Elektra movie coming out on the 14th.  But keep fighting this battle because you are putting your heart in it and trying to keep it to the book is amazing.  I read Witchblade and was disappointed in some of the things that they did with the show.  I felt at times that Top Cow and same with McFarlene were in it more for the money then seeing their story shown as close to the book.  I think no matter what happens all your fans will support you 100% on this.

[Achilles]

As for the directing. Ronny Yu's most acclaimed work has to be "The Bride with White Hair" which was another Chinese movie that Quentin Tarantino raved about. I don't think Ronny's American track record is very good. He directed "Bride of Chucky" which really isn't acclaimed for anything except being "awful".
Ang Lee went to the New York Film school and is at least familiar with New York. He can speak both English and Chinese and of course worked with Ziyi on CTHD.
Not sure if the director choice is written in stone or not.

[Delvie]

Danny & his work could be a good way to provide the background story from age 8 to present through his investigating, if Mimi wants to avoid that non-Asian.

I definately feel for you. I can imagine that you've wanted to strangle people several times over w/ this project. But in any case, whatever it takes to get the Shi movie going & in the theaters & make Shi a household name. Let me/us know if there is anything you need from us.

;)

See PM for more in depth comments.

[Achilles]

I was doing a google search looking to see if I could find any super hot Zither players to listen to and also if they could be potential selections for Shi in case Zhang Ziyi or Kelly Hu or not secured for the role.

After much searching I found this hot Zither player who happens to be an up and coming actress as well. Her name is Gwendoline Yeo. She looks a lot like the Shi that Billy draws. I realize I must provide photographic evidence but first I want to post the link to her being interviewed and playing that  Zither. Such a fascinating instrument. I really think the Zither should make it into the Shi script. It's very Zen!

http://www.henhousestudios.com/artists/mkpgartist.php?artistID=1020

For some Shi type photos check out her website gallery at
http://www.gwendolineyeo.com

I just discovered this actress/musician and she amused me. 8)

[BillyTucci]

I love what you have for the movie and how you want it to go.  I so agree that Thome needs to be in this movie.  I also want to commend you Billy in all the work and heart that you are putting into this.  I know I watch a lot of movies and I cant think of the actors name but he played Dective Woo in the Television show on TNT for  Witchblade.  I think he is a good actor not a huge name but his face is out there now I just noticed that he is in the Elektra movie coming out on the 14th.  But keep fighting this battle because you are putting your heart in it and trying to keep it to the book is amazing.  I read Witchblade and was disappointed in some of the things that they did with the show.  I felt at times that Top Cow and same with McFarlene were in it more for the money then seeing their story shown as close to the book.  I think no matter what happens all your fans will support you 100% on this.

Thank for the kind words Dawn, you made my day.  I was hoping to make this a sort of prequel to WOTW and retain the character's integrity at the same time with as little Hollywood changes as possible.

[BillyTucci]

I was doing a google search looking to see if I could find any super hot Zither players to listen to and also if they could be potential selections for Shi in case Zhang Ziyi or Kelly Hu or not secured for the role.


I just discovered this actress/musician and she amused me. 8)

What's a Zither?

But I did look at the photos and dare I say Yeo-za!

Couldn't help myself.   I think Mandy Amano would also make a great Shi.  As looks goes, she's perfect.  But alas, they apparently want a name that will greenlight the pic.

[Achilles]

Thanks for checking out the link and Gwendoline Yeo, Billy.

Ziyi would greenlight the project for sure. I just saw my first preview of "House of Flying Daggers" at the movie theatre and it was stunning beyond belief. I can't wait for this weekend to arrive. I am psyched. The cool thing about Daggers is the fact they don't use the karate that has the characters flying about in the air and such. It is just, good old fashioned Karate and that bamboo forest scene in the preview was jaw dropping. That should go down as the greatest action scene in movie history. It is beautiful.

Now I have to race on out and check out Ms. Amano. ;)