Fu for Thought
A discussion, between friends, about the highs and lows of kung fu cinema. One film at a time.
Episodes
And here we are. 151 episodes in and we're putting the Fu for Thought podcast to bed. This has been my baby for 6 years now, and it's been an absolutely joy to watch it grow. To those listeners that have come along for the ride, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We're just three idiots talking nonsense in Cyrus' living room. The fact you gave us time and energy has meant the world to us.
We hope you enjoyed what we did. I kn...
In this episode we tackle the first sequel in the Rurouni Kenshin series, Kyoto Inferno. And if I do say so myself, we have a great conversation about it.
We ask, "Does anything actually happen in this film?", I try to explore its themes and subtext, and we discuss the fantastic action direction and the film's usage of shaky cam.
Later, we tackle listener questions ands probably go on far too long about the type of pirate we'd have...
The gang's all here as we chat about Gareth Evans' long awaited action extravaganza, HAVOC. I talk about my viewing experience and how it relates to graphic novels, we discuss the film's much talked about CGI, we hash out a few of the confusing plot devices and much, much more!
Later, we answer some fantastic "Which of you is most like to...?" listener questions and Cyrus finally makes me edit an episode.
Enjoy!
It's the entire crew this week as we dive into Vincent Zhao's battle-heavy God of War. I always thought Cyrus would like this one but does he?
We discuss the film's not-so-fleshed out plot, the coolness of Samurai armour, tree spear thingies and Vincent Zhao's badass wife (in the film).
Later, we answer listener questions. We talk about crimes we've committed, I bring up a story about how much of a d*ckhead I was when I was a teena...
The man...the legend...the icon...Cyrus, is back! He dives back into the Fu for Thought foray to discuss Lau Kar Leung's comedic classic, DIRTY HO.
I've avoided showing this one to Devan for years because I thought the "shenanigans" would annoy her. Well, she's finally seen it. Did she love it? Hate it? On this episode, we dicuss the concept of "covert fights," we wonder "What are the 7 Agonies all about?" and Devan expresses her d...
This episode Devan and I discuss the ultra-violent Korean horror-action film, Project Wolf Hunting! We address the film's level of gore and how it feels different from other films, we bring up Britney Spears and later on we ask, "If you fought your parents, who would win?"
Enjoy!
No Cyrus this week, but Devan and I sit down and discuss Patrick Tam's wuxia tragedy, THE SWORD. We get into the randomness of the first few scenes, Devan has qualms about sword lore and fight scene length, and I try (and probably fail) to dig deep for metaphor and symbolism.
Tangents include our new adventures with the ol' marijuana.
Later we discuss the joys of Christmas when you're a kid and kung fu cinema's finest swordsmen! En...
I have to apologize in advance for this episode. It's the first ever solo episode. Go easy on me!
On this week's episode I get into 1974's Sonny Chiba classic, THE STREET FIGHTER. I ask, "What makes a karate man?", compare its choreography style to early 70's Bashers, and ask you guys to give me your favourite year in martial arts cinema.
After a technical blip, I jump into listener questions. Including an impromptu rant about CGI....
It's spooky season so we decided to get a bit ominous and eerie with the 2024 Korean horror, EXHUMA. A bit of a wild ride, this one. It seems one of the things I like about the film, Devan and Cyrus don't (the whole "severe left turn" thing), both Devan and Cyrus ask, "Why's it so big!?" and one of us (and trust me, it's not who you think) wants MORE jump scares.
As well as film banter, Cyrus makes Devan spit out her drink...twice....
I decided to take it easy on Devan and Cyrus this week and allow them to watch a movie they already love, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES. It's me who had his mind changed this episode.
We discuss the now infamous British censorship of this film (and the cartoon), whether or not Judith Hoag is a "timless beauty", and whether it's filled with enough Asian stereotypes to make it racist. Devan brings up her TMNT sleeping bag, while I bri...
We are Cyrus-less again this week, but me and Devan sit down for a little change of pace and review the Korean classic, A BITTERSWEET LIFE. We do a deep dive on the film's themes, discuss whether this is a gangster film or revenge film (or both), and, of course, gush over the amazing action sequences. Later on, we answer listener questions and discuss Quentin Tarantino's recent reveal that he'll never watch Toy Story 4. Enjoy!
It's just me and Devan this week and we get heavy into shapes with Sammo Hung's kung fu classic, THE VICTIM. Devan reiterates her love of weapons, I question the legitimacy of Wilson Tong's "The Foot Doctor" nickname, and I try to explain to Devan the ending of The Thundering Mantis. We also discuss Devan's newfound enjoyment of kung fu cinema and how it differs massively from what she used to think about the genre.
Of course, we...
You know what they say, "When the cat's away, the mice will be morons." No Devan this week so me and Cyrus sit down to review Brandon Lee's RAPID FIRE. After Cyrus discusses his recent medical issues, we get into talking about the "aura" of 90's action films. I point out some of the influences I spotted in the film, we question the "Italian-ness" of the villains, and highlight some of the nods of Bruce Lee scattered throughout the ...
This episode we finally dip our toes into the complex world of Chor Yuen and review BLACK LIZARD.
We discuss the film's incredible atmosphere, get baffled over the ins and outs of the plot, and try to get to the bottom of the final death scene.
Later, we answer listener questions. We talk about the MCU, I tell a story about when I once tried to impress a girl, and we come up with some awesome spy names. Enjoy!
Seagal is back! This week we sit down and review the 2001 Stephen Seagal/DMX teamup film, EXIT WOUNDS. We question some of the film's questionable lines, discuss Seagal's magic pistol, express our upset at DMX doing a cartwheel and ask, "Did the captain fancy Seagal?" Also, strap in for our brand new game - FRONT OR BACK? And bask in the glow of our magnificent Game of Thrones impressions. NOTE: We have some minor audio issues i...
This week we review ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI and ask, "Is this kind of...sort of...a Bruceploitation film?"
We discuss Andy On's comic book-like villain, Cyrus tells us that he was oblivious to the film's color palette and Devan suggests that that's Yuen Cheung-yan's real voice.
Later on we answer listener questions where we find our brand new favorite listener/viewer, Devan reveald her absolute hatred of cockroaches and Cyrus ...
Put your kids to bed early because this one's for the grown folks! In this episode, Cyrus and I review the legendary CAT III sleaze-fest, SEX AND ZEN. We discuss which part of movie we think Devan would hate the most, criticize sloppy wedding kissers, delve into the ins and out of flute-centric shenanigans and ask, "Did this film really need a Martial Arts Director?"
Later we answer listener questions, including synonyms for saucy...
This week on the podcast I treat Devan to a shenanigan-less Yuen Woo Ping film with LEGEND OF THE A FIGHTER (1982). You'll be surprised by who likes this one and who's pretty indifferent to it.
We discuss the structure of the film and how it defies the norms of the kung fu genre, we question Yasuaki Kurata's character's coughing, I get bamboozled over there being two Eagle Claw styles in the film and Devan may have a blossoming lov...
Those Girls with Guns are back! And so is Cyrus! This week we review the action heavy cop thriller, ANGEL TERMINATORS.
Devan talks anout enjoying female-centric fight scenes, we all get baffled by how characters are related to one another and I express my chagrin at an under-used Dick Wei.
Later we whiz through listener questions as an attempt to keep the episode short and we wrap things up with an argument about my Italian hand ge...
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