As L.L. Cool J famously rapped, 'Don't call it a come-back. I've been here for years'. So too has Jean-Claude Van Damme. Once a world famous action star, now more of a straight to video action star, he's managed to stay working, but not at the level that we once remember. To everyone's surprise, however, he's just made a movie that's actually being taken seriously
For the newest generation of action move fans: Jean-Claude Van Damme is a world-famous action hero. He started training in martial arts at the age of 11 before he retired from active competition to pursue a movie career. His record was 18-1 (18 knockouts).
Just as an FYI: Before he retired, he had a rematch with the only man to defeat him, Patrick Teugels. When the bell rang, Van came out punching and kicking. He was so aggressive that it was too much for Teugels and the match was halted in under the 2-minute mark.
His impressive physicality sets him apart and he executes a masterful split in nearly every Van Damme film. He usually plays a softer character for an action hero, unlike Schwarzenegger's invincible hero or Stallone's rough and unrefined hero. Van Damme's been in almost 40 movies and has unchallenged worldwide appeal, yet never achieved blockbuster status in America.
JCVD, Mr. Van Damme's initials, appropriately graces the title of this new movie. Van Damme stars as a fictionalized version of himself, which may not be too far from the truth. Once a big star, now a wash up, the movie apparently is both funny and insightful about its character.
Van Damme is getting real attention for his nuanced performance. This comes as a surprise to most film critics, given the fact that even in his hey day, he was hardly seen as an acting talent. But apparently, there were sides of JCVD that we were never allowed to see.
The new trailer for the film at www.apple.com/trailers/independent/jcvd/ shows a highly stylized look. The color is gone and the light contrasts are big, making the film look more like Schindler's List than Time Cop.
It looks good. There's a funny scene in the trailer where Van Damme is making a movie with a young Asian director. He cries, 'I'm 47 years-old and it's very hard for me to do everything in one shot.'
The down-on-his-luck actor finds himself in a bank heist. Of course, we're hoping that this situation will necessitate the use of his famous acrobatic moves. It's looking like a film of butt-kicking, middle aged angst, and pop culture satire. It seems too good to be true. - 16492
For the newest generation of action move fans: Jean-Claude Van Damme is a world-famous action hero. He started training in martial arts at the age of 11 before he retired from active competition to pursue a movie career. His record was 18-1 (18 knockouts).
Just as an FYI: Before he retired, he had a rematch with the only man to defeat him, Patrick Teugels. When the bell rang, Van came out punching and kicking. He was so aggressive that it was too much for Teugels and the match was halted in under the 2-minute mark.
His impressive physicality sets him apart and he executes a masterful split in nearly every Van Damme film. He usually plays a softer character for an action hero, unlike Schwarzenegger's invincible hero or Stallone's rough and unrefined hero. Van Damme's been in almost 40 movies and has unchallenged worldwide appeal, yet never achieved blockbuster status in America.
JCVD, Mr. Van Damme's initials, appropriately graces the title of this new movie. Van Damme stars as a fictionalized version of himself, which may not be too far from the truth. Once a big star, now a wash up, the movie apparently is both funny and insightful about its character.
Van Damme is getting real attention for his nuanced performance. This comes as a surprise to most film critics, given the fact that even in his hey day, he was hardly seen as an acting talent. But apparently, there were sides of JCVD that we were never allowed to see.
The new trailer for the film at www.apple.com/trailers/independent/jcvd/ shows a highly stylized look. The color is gone and the light contrasts are big, making the film look more like Schindler's List than Time Cop.
It looks good. There's a funny scene in the trailer where Van Damme is making a movie with a young Asian director. He cries, 'I'm 47 years-old and it's very hard for me to do everything in one shot.'
The down-on-his-luck actor finds himself in a bank heist. Of course, we're hoping that this situation will necessitate the use of his famous acrobatic moves. It's looking like a film of butt-kicking, middle aged angst, and pop culture satire. It seems too good to be true. - 16492
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Author Kasey Morton blogs extensively on many subjects related to small businesses, marketing, movies, and insurance matters. A particular interest of his is ICU jobs and travel nursing jobs.
