When I first heard about our favorite The Karate Kid would be remade I was like “Oh no”. When I heard that Jackie Chan would play Mr. Miyagi and Jayden Smith as the kid, Daniel LaRusso, I was like “Oh noeeessssssss”.
Luckily they’ve decided to change it up a bit and now the official title is Kung-Fu Kid. It makes things a little better. The deal is that Dre (Hayden Smith) is a video game-loving skateboarder who’s forced to move to China with his mother (Taraji P. Henson). Dre finds it hard to settle in and doesn’t understand or speak Mandarin. He gets beat up and as a result receives kung-fu training from maintenance man, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) and Mandarin lessons.
These two pictures are the first to come out of the set of the film. In the picture below, at first glance I thought Jackie Chan looked like Sly Stallone. Right?
Kung-Fu Kid is directed by Harald Zwart and produced by Jaden Smith’s dad, mega-star Will Smith. The film will get a US release on June 11th of next year. There’s no news on a Malaysian release date just yet.
This week is pretty busy with four decent movies coming out. Seven Pounds, Sex Drive, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li and Role Models. Seven Pounds I have seen and I didn't like it. To be honest I don't not like Will Smith flicks very often. Sex Drive seems to be a typical teen flick ala American Pie. Street Fighter I personally do not want to watch. I loved the Van Damme one back in '94 when I was a kid. But this, nah I'll pass. Finally, Role Models should be some good fun to watch.
On a separate note, GSC is re-screening a couple Oscar nominated films like The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire and Tropic Thunder. The special offer only lasts until March 4th. Check out the GSC website for more details.
Seven Pounds (2008) Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson Director: Gabriele Muccino USA release: 19 December 2008 Msia release: 26 February 2009 Genre: Drama Runtime: 123 mins Rated in USA: PG-13 for thematic material, some disturbing content and a scene of sensuality Rated in Msia: U
As a man who's haunted by guilt, Ben Thomas (Will Smith) sets out on a journey to find 7 strangers to help. Unbeknown to the 7 people Ben decides to help, he is not the person he says he is. Who is he? Why is he willing to change the lives of 7 people he has never met in his life?
Sex Drive (2008) Starring: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Seth Green Director: Sean Anders USA release: 17 October 2008 Msia release: 26 February 2009 Genre: Comedy Runtime: 109 mins Rated in USA:R for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, language, some drug and alcohol use - all involving teens Rated in Msia: 18SX
18 year-old Ian (Josh Zuckerman) goes on a road trip with his friends Felicia (Amanda Crew) and Lance (Clark Duke) halfway across the country to Knoxville, Tennessee just to lose his virginity to a girl who he met online. Expect a Road Trip kind of movie.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li(2009) Starring: Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Michael Clarke Duncan Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak USA release: 27 February 2009 Msia release: 26 February 2009 Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Runtime: 126 mins Rated in USA: PG-13 for sequences of violence and martial arts action, and some sensuality Rated in Msia: 18PL
Based on the ever so popular video game (incidentally Street Fighter 4 was released just days ago), The Legend of Chun-Li focuses on Interpol agent Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) as she goes on a hunt for justice after the murder of her father. I expect a crappy plot, crappy effects but awesome fight scenes.
Role Models (2008) Starring: Sean William Scott, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks Director: David Wain USA release: 7 November 2008 Msia release: 26 February 2009 Genre: Comedy Runtime: 99 mins Rated in USA: R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity Rated in Msia: U
Danny (Sean William Scott) and Wheeler (Paul Rudd) are two salesmen who trash a company truck on an energy drink binge. When tried, the court gives them 2 options- prison or community service. Opting for the latter, Danny and Wheeler wish they had chosen prison instead of spending 150 hours in a child mentoring program called 'Sturdy Wings'. This should be a good movie. I've always been fans of Sean William Scott and Paul Rudd.
Its been rumored that Will Smith had come up with the idea to have a prequel to his smash film, I Am Legend (2007). The prequel was supposedly going to be set a few years before IAL when there were a few groups of survivors. And it would go on to show how Smith's character failed to save them and become the 'only man left on Earth'.
The studio wasn't so keen on this idea. So, now they've apparently mixed some ideas up a little bit. And out came the idea of a sequel.
I don't know about you, but personally, I find it very hard to picture a sequel to a movie where its leading actor dies at the end of the movie, blowing himself up along with the tens of zombies who were just about to have him for lunch.
We'll just have to wait and see. But I's like another one of these movies from Smith. He needs a rebound from Hancock which was unbelievably terrible. This pre/sequel or whatever its gonna be, may be it.
Get your weekly dose of footie talk from around Europe in Football Focus with John Dykes and four other ESPNStar football pundits.
US Presidential Debate 2008
On CNNAstro Channel 511
Wednesday 0900
Not working or studying this
Wednesday morning? Check out the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees fight it out in front of a worldwide audience in their second debate. The last debate was a tight one but Barack ObamaedgedJohn McCainto win on the night.
The Amazing Race Asia Season 3
On AXN Astrochannel 701
Thursday 2100
Catch the fifth instalment of the new season of the asian version of the ever so popular reality show The Amazing Race. Join host Allan Wu and teams from all over Asia as they race to the finish line for the prize of $100,000.
The Pursuit of Happyness
On HBO Astro channel 411
Friday 2100
Catch this wonderful movie based on the true life struggles of Chris Gardner, played by Will Smith, a homeless salesman that finally makes it big in the stockbroking industry. Smith is joined by his very own son, Jaden Smith who plays Chris Gardner's son in the movie. This movie is beautifully acted out, especially by Jaden Smith who was only 7 years old when the film was shot. This highly acclaimed movie is also highly recommended by me for the whole family.
World Cup 2010 Qualifiers
Club football is off this weekend as the qualifiers for the next World Cup in South Africa takes place all around the world. Catch all the action on Astro Supersport channel 811 on Saturday and the wee hours of Sunday morning. Check back here for all the updates I round up all the scores frome this round of matches.
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Doctor Popcorn is a movie blog that covers movie news, previews, reviews, trailers, posters and more. Located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mike Campton is the author of Doctor Popcorn.
DISCLAIMER: The author of this blog is not an expert in film. All reviews and opinions are for entertainment purposes only and are not meant to create conflicts or offend anyone.
