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if Johnny pressed charges, possibly
Morita owned that role. It's great when you watch a movie and you don't see the actor playing the role, you see the character and that character only.
if Johnny pressed charges, possibly
Again, attention to detail in this movie. Before the crane kick, Johnny had just gotten a point with the leg sweep followed by the direct hard kick to the face that put Daniel on his back. They set up the crane kick perfectly.
Within the movie, maybe the cheap shot that took his knee out, and the constant blatant attacks on that knee gave the refs a little sympathy.
Maybe it was a case of the refs "letting them play."
Last edited by UZER; 07-24-2015 at 11:18 AM.
It is a testament to the production that (((the karate unwashed among us, and/or the common sense unwashed among us))) doesn't care about the behavior of the officiating here. You can't (care) and do what was needed and required to be done to finish that film as it had been herded from the beach on.
Thank Christ.
We know now, all of us, the washed & unwashed alike. & it's okay.
It's nit picking, but to me it's the peak triumphant landmark moment in the film.
I don't want any suspension of disbelief or asterisks next to Daniel's trophy.
And they never wavered throughout numerous conspiracies to murder & mayhem conceived by production and committed by characters. Not once was a police cruiser shown, nor officer displayed. Even a glimpse of either or both and it's not over-over, but, it's over.
They wore no gloves, feet gear or head gear. The All Valley Karate Tournament seemed like it was full-contact in the Men's Under 18 Black Belt division. If that's the case, the kick was reasonable and would not warrant a disqualification. It seems like in the world of Karate Kid, they combined what you would see in a typical point-fighting tournament with that of a Kyokushin tournament.
Sometimes, Karate Kid gets lumped in with all the crappy movies of 80's and 90's that plagiarized its formula. I'm glad people see the brilliance in this movie. I think some of Miyagi's lessons are actually pretty useful. The speech about the grape in the middle road is one that anybody could benefit from, certainly young people who trying to find their way in the world.
& it's nice that the production held off having a heart-to-heart twixt Mother & Miyagi. There is some stilted stuff in the beginning when it is almost compelled, but, even there it's limited and like I said "stilted." Then at the end we see Mother strongly question Miyagi after he administers to & sends this child back out there. Even here, the production insists, wisely so to go anal. He does not physically acknowledge her, nor look at her, just imperceptibly nods. , if I were Mother, I'd be assuaged.
Word! I missed your post. Also agree on the first comment about drunk Miyagi. That scene added a lot of depth to his character.
And then the sequels came, and suddenly Daniel finds himself fighting for his life, literally. And just like that, the meaning of the original was tainted; bas ized even. Hollywood-ed
I got pretty ridiculous in part 3 when Daniel San was able to win a fight against Karate's Bad Boy by doing a kata.
it was pathetic. Sad sad sad. Then it gets worse with the Next Karate Kid.
Pat had a knack for looking however he wanted. You could tell he was uncomfortable when he was, and you could tell he was sad, angry, happy, anything. He wore it well, and was a genuine good guy character.
Not even in when sensai smashed the car windows in parking lot trying to punch Pat
It borrowed a lot from Rocky to be sure.
But what made it great was that Daniel was relatable because everyone has either been in Daniel's shoes or know someone that has.
Johnny Returns
by
russell-ville-man
Chapter One
"No. No, Johnny, no. Not this time."
"Ann, please." Johnny reached for his wife.
"No." She shifted toward the head of their bed.
Johnny sat heavily--closer to the foot.
"You told me not two months that it would end soon. That you'd be safe, forever here with us. You lied, Johnny."
Johnny Arnold watched them thru the sliding mirrored closet doors. "It will, Ann. It will end. I have to go, honey. I haven't a choice." He spoke into the reflection.
"To do what, Johnny?"
"I can't tell you and you know it. It's more dangerous there now as it's winding down than it's ever been." He instantly regretted this truth even before he'd finished. She'd bullied him into forsaking his oath of silence. Goddamn her.
"See, I knew it. Why you? Why not the others?"
"It doesn't matter, I have to go. I'll be back. You know it. I always come back."
"What about Johnny, he needs you now. Not two years from now." She spoke to him. He saw her in the reflection.
"It won't be two years, Ann, six months, a year tops, then it will all be over. No more Vietnam. Home for good, honey bun." He spoke to her, her face ashen, the tears welling.
His wife moved toward her husband then collapsed into his arms. He held her tightly as the sun failed the sky and their bedroom drew into darkness.
Two days later Johnny stood at the foot of his 7 year old son's bed and carefully arranged the blankets to cover him.
Johnny woke and saw the pale olive green of his father's uniform trousers.
"Dad." His son's voice causing his own tears to rise.
Johnny quickly moved to the side of the bed. "Time to go, Johnny."
"Where's mama?"
"She's in the kitchen, Johnny. She's okay."
"Is she crying?"
"Yes."
"I'll take care of her, dad. I promise."
He leaned in close and kissed his son softly on the forehead. "I knew that."
Chapter Two.
He wasn't gone 60 days when they came to the door on a late June afternoon. His mother was working a puzzle on the card table she & Johnny had played a thousand hands of two player Canasta on. Johnny was watching an episode of "Happy Days" perched in his favorite spot, upon the arm rest of the couch.
Two firm knocks---Two military caps book ending a white wisp of hair shown thru the arc of glass squares across the front door.
"Johnny." She moved away from the card table and to her son.
He clutched her hand. "I'm here, mama."
With her free hand she pulled across the door. "Johnny." Her voice now unworldly. Their only son knew this declaration was not for him.
They'd not come alone. They'd stopped by the rectory and collected Father Trapp.
"Ann, I'm so sorry." The priest spoke directly and firmly thru the dense screening.
Johnny Arnold had been classified Missing In Action, presumed dead. Their wasn't much information beyond that, or, information they were willing to furnish. The parish priest sat to one side, her son on the other as the two men did their job. It was over very quickly.
"Ann, I can stay as lon..."
"No." The coldness of his mother's tone made her son tighten his grip. She returned the gesture.
A half hour passed in silence before Johnny's mother spoke. "Baby, mama is going to lay down for a little while."
"Yes, mama."
After her husband had left she'd retreated into the house. Now, Ann Arnold retreated to their bedroom, then furiously into her mind.
Her sister, Eileen came to take care of her and Johnny. She would call uncle Stanley each night to visit with him and relay any news forthcoming. "Stan, he is with her now. She won't lose him again. She's a long way away, Stanley." Aunt Eileen's voice wracked with emotion.
Two days later Aunt Eileen took her sister to the hospital. It was the last time Johnny saw his mother alive.
(to be continued)
Eileen engulfed her son's erect member with fervor, as Johnny stood there fists placed firmly on his hips.. his dangling majestically like Florida from the mainland. He was home.
^ s, lettin' the green eyed monster get a holt of him. tee, hee.
Thread Thoughts on this?
My favorite moment of the series is when Miyagi is fighting the Cobra Kai sensei in the parking lot
Daniel: You could have have killed him
Miyagi: Ay
Daniel: Why didn't you?
There is something near tragic about Macchio, (post "Kid) whether it's "Vinny",,,or, an LMN movie I saw him in recently where he is a dance studio owner. An evident vulnerability that is palpable. There are times in "Vinny" where it springs up and kind of gravels the viewer, or, at least this one,,,where he turns from his friend, faces his cousin and hugs him tightly, at a loss for words as the charges are dropped. It's a seminal moment in the film as only Vinny's nephew (aside from his friend) can grasp the moment. Pesci can't identify and is jocular, though there is just a hint of base empathy here.
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