A picture chronicle of my March 12th, 2010. Enjoy!
March 2010 12 of 12
Category Archives: Version 1.0
The Kung Fu Kid
It’s hard to accept, but the reality that there’s hardly an original artistic idea left in Hollywood is a sobering one. The latest case in point is the new rendition of The Karate Kid coming out this summer. Let me preface this by saying that I love the original movie, not just because it’s the version that I grew up with (but that certainly weighs heavily in my pre-judgment of the remake), but also because it’s a good movie. Below are the trailers for both the 1984 original and the 2010 version, respectively.
1984:
2010:
In fairness, the trailer for the new movie looks pretty good. I’m going to see it when it comes out this summer. And I like the casting of Jackie Chan in the Mr. Miyagi role. He’s funny and actually knows martial arts in addition to “movie martial arts,” which can only be a plus.. Nevertheless, I still have several issues with what I’ve seen thus far of new version.
Firstly, the movie’s title is The KARATE Kid. So, why on earth is the kid being taught kung fu? They’re different martial arts. I’d have much less of a problem with the movie if it were titled The Kung Fu Kid because then it would tie in directly to the movie. What’s with the weapons training? Something as seemingly innocuous as that scene could ruin the entire spirit of the movie. “Karate” means “empty hand,” so let’s the save the staff training for other martial arts movies. Some may just say that I’m just being a grouch, or that it’s semantics and that it doesn’t matter. But it does matter, especially when this is a remake of a movie as highly revered as The Karate Kid. And yup, I’m being a grouch. Grow up with something, have people “update” it 25 years later, and see how you feel about the new version.
Secondly, the Miyagi character isn’t supposed to want to teach Daniel karate at first. In the 2010 trailer, it’s unclear just how active a role Chan’s character takes in promoting the instruction. Again, the spirit of the movie will be radically different from the 1984 version–and dare I say not nearly as effective or meaningful–if the Miyagi character is more aggressive in wanting to teach the kid. Fidelity to the spirit of the original is all I ask. (Well, OK, not all, but it’s a major factor.)
Thirdly, the best part of the first movie (for me, anyway) was the constant infusion of “life lessons” Mr. Miyagi gave Daniel. It’s an approach I bring with me into the classroom: not only am I teaching music theory and aural skills, but lessons that my students can take with them and apply to other areas of their lives. Without those lessons, the Miyagi character is just another martial arts instructor. I think Jackie Chan is capable of delivering a performance that includes those “life lesson” pearls of wisdom, like the “Life will knock us down, but we can choose to get back up” line. I can only hope there are more like this.
Lastly, and perhaps most simply, why mess with a gem? The way I see it, just leave well enough alone. In this case, it’s far more than merely “well enough.” The original is a classic film. I see no need for a remake.
Incongruity
Perhaps this is just the Seminole fan in me talking, but all this hype about Tim Tebow NOT working out at the NFL Combine this week is making me a little sick. I’ve said it all along and I’ll say it again: Tebow won’t do anything of note in the NFL at the quarterback position. Defensive players in the NFL are too fast and too strong for him to escape like he did regularly in college. And now he’s working on a new delivery and his footwork. As Mike tells his students about practicing aural skills, “You can’t fatten the calf the day of the market.” Yes, Tebow was a great college player. It pains me to say that, but it’s true. He won often and he won big. Fact. But, as many a Gator quarterback has proven, the NFL ain’t college. What he’s been doing for four years in Gainesville can’t simply be unlearned and reprogrammed in less than a month before Pro Day (17 March). As another adage goes, “Old habits die hard.”
On the other hand, Myron Rolle from FSU has been getting a lot of attention lately because of his unique combination of brains and athletic talent, and rightfully so. He’s a brilliant guy whose future is amazingly bright, both on and off the field. However, there are some in NFL circles who feel like his mental aptitude will hinder his NFL career. I just don’t understand how people think that being intelligent and having aspirations IN ADDITION to NFL success can be hindrances. Um, what? The way I see it, his mental acuity can only HELP him, especially at the free safety position. He’s the last line of defense: he has to read the whole field and react accordingly, which takes both athletic talent and intelligence. Whatever team drafts Myron will be lucky to have him. As he did at Florida State, he’ll represent that organization well in every aspect of his life.
Throughout their college careers, there was a gross incongruity in press coverage between Tebow and Rolle, due, in part, to Tebow’s success on the field. Despite some of the NFL cynics, I’m glad to see some of press finally recognizing Rolle. I’m looking forward to watching how these two men develop, both as players and as humanitarians.
“1979”
Here’s an acoustic rendition of the Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979.” For those of you out there who don’t think the concepts presented in music theory classes doesn’t apply to modern music, think again. Mike transcribed the song and arranged it for guitar and vocals. With the exception of the double neighbor, all the embellishing tones discussed thus far in this song. As Mike would say: BOOM.
Enjoy!
February 2010 12 of 12
Yeah, I know I’ve been lazy with this bog since the new year started, despite my “it’s gonna be part of my daily routine” spiel. Oh well, here’s my latest attempt at getting back on track. I present to you, oh wondrous blogosphere, my February 2010 12 of 12.
Did the do
This morning, I finally got around to cutting my hair, just in time for my excursion to the Lone Star State. With the buzz, I like to cut it, at the very least, once every two weeks. Every week is ideal, but I get lazy (surprise). This time, I’ve gone over a month between cuts, which is the longest I’ve gone since I buzzed my head almost five years ago. It hasn’t been a big deal, though. The way I see it, I’ve had no where to go and no one to impress. Here are some pics.
Wrong…Again
The NCAA rejected FSU’s appeal regarding the decision to strip Bobby Bowden of 14 wins because of a cheating scandal. I realize I’m biased because of my fan loyalty to THE Florida State University, but this is NOT right. Bowden was the head football coach, so yes he is responsible for his players’ actions…to a point. There was no evidence that Bowden, or any of the coaching staff for that matter, had anything to do with some players cheating on a test. So, I don’t see why the NCAA is penalizing Bowden. The University already punished those students and TA’s involved, and the NCAA revoked some scholarships as well. FSU even took the high road and reported the incident to the NCAA itself before it leaked out through the media. The way I see it, this is the NCAA trying to make a statement, using one of the game’s legendary figures as an example of what NOT to do.
Psssst…Hey, NCAA…I’ve got a dirty little secret for you:
CHEATING EXISTS EVERYWHERE, especially with major sports programs. Duh. Now, understand that I do NOT, in any way, condone academic dishonesty. But, let’s be honest and get real for just a second here. FSU is not the first school at which athletes have cheated, nor will it be the last. I appreciate the NCAA taking a firm stand to curb it, if not prevent it. But punishing the coach for something he had no part of is wrong. The NCAA was wrong about the whole “Seminole” mascot thing and it’s wrong about this. Wake up, NCAA, and smell the Icy Hot. Of course, I shouldn’t really expect anything different. After all, this is the same organization that is contemplating paying student athletes and determines its national football championship using a computer.
My first time…
…skiing, that is.
I went skiing for the first time today. Xan and I visited her aunt in New Hampshire, and we strapped on some skis and went gliding around a golf course for a couple of hours. I’ve wanted to ski for a while now but didn’t really have the opportunity living in Texas, Illinois, and Florida. A little cross country jaunt, I think, was the perfect introduction to getting around on skis: no danger of falling a few hundred (or thousand, even) feet and minimal risk of injury. Plus, it was fun! And I was pretty good at it, especially considering it was my very first time on skis. Here are a couple of pics:
There’s a lot more balance involved in skiing than I previously thought. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like zig-zagging down a mountain at 65 mph.
On a slightly related note, Xan’s family is awesome. It really makes me wish I had a bigger family circle closer to me. Don’t get me wrong: I love going to the Philippines to see my cousins, but the way I see it, I would enjoy it that much more if we could see each other more than once every five years. I’ve always wanted a (relatively) big family, or at least a large extended family who would gather at holidays and celebrate birthdays and have little traditions and lots of inside jokes. I feel blessed and thankful that Xan’s family has accepted me into their tight-knit circle. And I feel confident that my family back in the motherland will do the same for her.
2010, Day 1
Be they long blurbs about my latest philosophical enlightenment, diatribes defending the boys from Dublin, or simply short blurbs about my day, one of my goals in 2010 is post more entries. The way I see it, this blog can be a part of a daily routine that will help to help me manage my time better and keep me more organized.
To that end, this first one’s going to be short and sweet. It’s late and I’m tired, but I kicked off the new year nicely. It was a low-key affair. Xan and I took our time getting out of bed, but got ourselves presentable and had a couple of her college friends over to hang out and relax. We talked, ate, and drank as the Seminoles of THE Florida State University send off Bobby Bowden in style with a convincing 33-21 win over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. A little Wii bowling was up next (after shaking off A LOT of rust), capped off by finishing season 3 of one of my new favorite shows, Entourage. Not bad way to ring in the new year.
To a happy, successful, memorable 2010!
December 2009 12 of 12
The semester’s been crazy, so I haven’t updated in a very long time. Nonetheless, here’s my December 2009 12 of 12.
Christopher Endrinal 