The EXPENDABLES

[Karlos]

Hi all

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45551

:smile:

[WuxiaFan]

"Living up to the expectation that it's a serious homage to the action movies of the 1980s, The Expendables received an R rating for "strong action and bloody violence throughout, and for some language." Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone and starring a bevy of action stars like Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Mr. Stallone (and featuring cameos from Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger), The Expendables go into battle Aug. 13 against Eat Pray Love and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World."

:bigsmile: That's just awesome! It would have been dreadful at PG-13!

[gorhama]

Hells to the yeah!!! Great news...not that I need bloody violence all the time...but in a movie like this........yeah I need it!!

I'm so looking forward to this movie!!

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

Thank you Jesus!!!!! Finally, finally an action movie with all that hype get's stamped with an RRRRRRRR!!!!!:tongue::tongue::tongue:

[AlbertV]

Entertainment Weekly posted a tournament like article called "Who's the Biggest Badass of The Expendables".

Here were the match-ups:

Eric Roberts vs. Sly Stallone
Mickey Rourke vs. Terry Crews
Arnold Schwarzenegger vs. Steve Austin
Jason Statham vs. Bruce Willis
Dolph Lundgren vs. Jet Li
Randy Couture vs. Gary Daniels

Semi-Finals were:
Stallone vs. Rourke vs. Schwarzenegger
Statham vs. Lundgren vs. Couture

Finals:
Rourke vs. Lundgren

Mickey Rourke was voted by EW staff as Biggest Badass.

What I didn't like what they wrote was about Gary Daniels. They said "kickboxing icon turned straight-to-DVD goon". IMO, Daniels was one of the best stars in American MA films and yeah, just because he played more minor roles as of late doesn't make him a goon. To me, he will always be one of my favorites IMO.

So who do you guys think is the biggest badass of these 12? LOL

[mpm74]

I choose Mickey Rourke, as well. =D

A real boxer, a real bad-ass, and he played Stanley White in YEAR OF THE DRAGON. And he was able to make a remarkable comeback, despite his roughed up looks.

Need I say more?

PS Kinda cool to see Gary Daniels get mentioned in mainstream Hollywood magazine.

[Stuntman Jules]

I might even see this, this is a movie where every badass ever kicks ass. Though where's Norris and Van Damme?

They should make a sequel or similar film where all those guys (with Norris and Van Danme tagging along of course) get together and beat up pedophiles like righteous droogs for two hours. There would be some very thin plot about how they're trying to dismantle a child pornography ring and there's some master pedophile running it played by some creepy actor like Steve Buscemi or Brad Dourif who knows kung fu and Stallone and Norris and Van Damme take turns fighting him. That movie would gross more than Avatar and generate more online meme buzz than Snakes on a Plane.

[kingofkungfu2002]

Dolph Lundgren for me, the guy is the real deal in my opinion :xd: And I wouldn't rule out Gary Daniels either.

[Markgway]

If this movie does well then Norris and Van Damme and co will be lining up to appear in the sequel...

Er, not sure about that paedophile plotline though. Questionable taste for an action blockbuster methinks.

Harsh calling Daniels a 'goon' because he's in DTV films. No need to disrespect an actor just because he didn't make the A-list.

[Stuntman Jules]

If this movie does well then Norris and Van Damme and co will be lining up to appear in the sequel...

Er, not sure about that paedophile plotline though. Questionable taste for an action blockbuster methinks.

Maybe, I was joking anyways, but people love emotionally manipulative, black and white stuff like that in their Hollywood blockbusters and I was making fun of that.

Maybe they could all go to the Middle East, drive around the Afghan/Pakistan border in Hummers and pull Osama Bin Laden out of his cave and then proceed to beat him to death gruesomely for 25 minutes?

[Markgway]

Maybe they could all go to the Middle East, drive around the Afghan/Pakistan border in Hummers and pull Osama Bin Laden out of his cave and then proceed to beat him to death gruesomely for 25 minutes?

Sold. :xd:

[sifu iron perm]

the UK gets a cut version, 15 cert. :sad:

[Karlos]

the UK gets a cut version, 15 cert. :sad:


Yeah, 2 seconds are missing.

It sucks but I HAVE to see this on the big screen!

Also, an extended version for DVD/Blu-Ray was mentioned by Stallone at a recent screening.

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

Jet Li vs Dolph Ludgren I'd pay to see that alone, and choreographed by corey yuen?? Come on that alone is the price of admission, I could care less what the ratings are at Rottentomatoes.com!!!

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

Jet Li vs Dolph Ludgren I'd pay to see that alone, and choreographed by corey yuen??

Is that true?? I didn't know Corey Yuen was a part of The Expendables. Where did you find that out?

[kingofkungfu2002]

If this movie does well then Norris and Van Damme and co will be lining up to appear in the sequel..

Stallone just said on a radio interview.."I tried to get Van Damme, Seagal on board, but they chose to take their careers in 'other directions'..I tried my best, what can I do"

Having a little dig there I think :wink:

[Karlos]

Stallone just said on a radio interview.."I tried to get Van Damme, Seagal on board, but they chose to take their careers in 'other directions'..I tried my best, what can I do"

Having a little dig there I think :wink:

Over on AICN.com last week, Stallone spent 5 days answering fan's questions.

One of them asked for an explicit reason why JCVD wasn't in it.

Sly answered that terms couldn't reached, before adding, I like Jean Claude, and Jean Claude likes himself. :crossedlips:

Sounds like any Expendables sequel may very well happen without JCVD, but who knows?

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

Is that true?? I didn't know Corey Yuen was a part of The Expendables. Where did you find that out?

Yep Todd Brown from Twitchfilms saw an advance screening confirmed it on his post...

[Markgway]

Opens in the UK the following week.

I've already got my ticket! ;)

[Karlos]

Opens in the UK the following week.

I've already got my ticket! ;)

Are you getting the preview showings this Friday and Saturday in Scotland, Markgway?

[Karlos]

Finally, in a packed house, I saw it today!

Feels like I've been waiting to see this since forever!

NO SPOILERS - I promise! I wouldn't want to ruin all the nice little moments that are in this.

Keeping it short, I LOVED IT!!

What Stallone has managed to do is sum up everything great about American action cinema in one film - it's up there, I think, with The Dirty Dozen or The Magnificent Seven.

The action is, for the most part, incredbily well done - there are so many set-pieces, and they all work.

Certainly, for those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s this reads like a love letter to the action film that prevailed back then - and has been sorely missed!!

Anyway, that's my take on it and I look forward to reading what you guys think, in agreement of otherwise.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Okay, I had promised my son we'd see this opening day, and we did.

We both really enjoyed it, and thought it was a great action movie.

My only complaint (let me warn you, and get this out of the way) is the (typical) shitty over-editing/too closely framed shit they did for the hand-to-hand fights. WHY?! :ooh: Why do they get the best guys, real, capable martial artists, an awesome action choreographer, put them all through their paces (all of the actors took quite a beating to create these sequences), and then NOT REALLY SHOW US WHAT THEY FILMED??????!!!!!!! That pisses me off. :tinysmile_angry2_t: Especially knowing that Stallone has always been a big Jackie Chan fan and has filmed terrific fights before in his ROCKY movies. He should know better, right? When will we get another chance to see Dolph fight Jet Li and Gary Daniels? Stallone against Steve Austin? And to not give us what they could have? :neutral: Thankfully I had scanned Gazz's review on the front page, so I went in knowing that this was the case. Otherwise, it would have ruined the movie for me. These fights were still effective, just frustrating to me for the reasons I've stated. Apart from that, the gunfights, use of knives, and plane, truck, and explosive action are phenomenal! Sure there were some crusty bits of dialogue, but Mickey Rourke gave a serious bit of drama to his small role. And Statham is great with the blades man! We enjoyed the Hell out of it. And Terry Crew's weapon? LOVE IT!!! Where do I get one? :xd:

A great throwback to the days of the big action films of the '80s, that I recommend people check out in the theater- where the explosions are nice and big. :bigsmile: The crowd cheered and applauded at the good parts, and there was a lot of "Damn!" and "Holy shit!" stuff coming from people too.

As far as action films go, I'd give it between an 8.5 and a 9.0.

[KyFi]

Thumbs down from me, for the exact reasons Kung Fu Bob mentioned---I guess they just bothered me more. I was fine with the characters, acting, story---but dang, that action blew! It didn't feel at all like a good 60s, 70s or 80s action movie to me. I couldn't even tell which car was chasing which, or who was fighting who, or if they had any trademark moves. To me, the action scenes completely disconnected me from the characters. I felt like I was watching a trailer! Very disappointing, because it was great seeing all those guys together on the screen. I'm hoping that Jet Li and Cory Yuen track down the editor and beat the crap out of him.

[mpm74]

Im gonna check this out tomorrow. Seems promising. Too bad on the 'too close' fight scenes though...

You know, it makes me wonder why Sly didn't pick Jackie to begin with? Afterall, they've always admired each other... so why go with Jet? I mean, since we're in 80's icon mode, what better choice than Jackie?

Does anyone know if Jackie refused? Maybe he wanted too much money? Schedule too busy?

[KUNG FU BOB]

Im gonna check this out tomorrow. Seems promising. Too bad on the 'too close' fight scenes though...

You know, it makes me wonder why Sly didn't pick Jackie to begin with? Afterall, they've always admired each other... so why go with Jet? I mean, since we're in 80's icon mode, what better choice than Jackie?

Does anyone know if Jackie refused? Maybe he wanted too much money? Schedule too busy?

I don't know. I never even thought about it until after the film. While discussing the poorly presented action scenes with my son, I mentioned that Stallone has often praised Jackie Chan's classic stuff, so he should know better than too screw that up- even if just by example. Then we both sort of said at the same time "I wonder why Jackie wasn't in it?" Strange that I never thought this before.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it mpm74.

[froffeecoffee]

Same complaints. But I still loved it! Loud, Over-the-Top, and Big Explosions! That's how action movies should be made.

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned, were those action scenes in the finale too dark? I ask this in case it was a technical issue with the projector or was it the actual movie?

Most definitely, with all these action stars and Corey Yuen working on this film why did we have to have such fast edits and close-ups?

Also, too bad Stallone couldn't get Seagal and Van Damme to join, Read that he offered them parts, but they had issues that had to do with screen time and money.

Nonetheless I still liked it.

[WalkOn]

Watched this last night and it was GREAT! It doesn't challenge your brain cells, but I was shocked that just about everyone got their 15 minutes of glory. I'm sure some will find a way to rip it apart, but the action was brutal and I enjoyed it. You will not be bored.

I'm not sure whats considered spoilers, so I'll leave my detailed comments after others give some feedback.

I don't remember the last time sitting in a crowded theater that had people (myself included) clapping and cheering. Great moments throughout with action and dialog. I'm no expert movie critic, but it was lots of fun.

Watching it again.

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

This movie was complete SH!T.... The last 30 mins of this movie ruined it for me, why you ask well the way it was shot with the quick edits, close up angles took me the F away.. I couldn't see what was going on!!! Seriously this movie makes Undisputed 3 look like the Godfather... If you want a really bad ass American produced action movie go see Undisputed 3, the Expendables started out ok but it just took the biggest dump I'd ever seen onscreen within that last act of the film!!! Believe me Action movie is my life that's all I watch, Hong Kong action movies is still the undisputed champ of all action movies!!!

[Markgway]

Are you getting the preview showings this Friday and Saturday in Scotland, Markgway?

I haven't really checked as I didn't know there were any.

Will go next weekend.

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

I loved this movie. It was so much fun. Like everyone else, I'm pissed that the Jet Li vs Dolph Lundgren was majorly disappointing, and I seriously wonder what happened to make it that way since they got Corey Yuen. That being said, I really hope they get a sequel!

I don't really mind that Van Damme wasn't in this because I'm not a huge fan, but also because his role then went to Lundgren. I was so excited that they got Lundgren for this movie, and he was awesome. I don't think it would have been as good with Van Damme as Gunnar. However, since they already greenlit a sequel if the movie makes money, Van Damme and Seagal would probably agree to the film. I wonder who else they'd get? Hopefully Willis in a bigger role, though the Willis and Schwarzenegger cameos were great I thought.

I suprisingly loved Terry Crews in this movie, and even though it was really just a big gun that he had......it was just awesome. Rourke was pretty much the only one showcasing any acting ability, and it was a very nice touch to the movie. Statham got to do pretty much everything cool in this movie. I typically don't like Statham because he's such an awful actor (the action in Transporter is awesome, but Statham's 'acting' drives me a little crazy), but in this movie it didn't really matter. When Statham and Li were just taking out waves of people at the end it was one of the better action scenes in the movie (sadly better than Li vs Lundgren).

Also, Jackie Chan wasn't approached for this movie, and he certainly wasn't offered Jet Li's role first or anything. Stallone, Statham, and Li were the original three set to star in the movie. Statham and Li have made movies together before, so it's not really suprising that it was Jet. I aso think that Jet was a better fit for the movie than Jackie. Jackie is more of a comedic prop fighter. Jet's American movies are action movies where he's a badass. Not that one is necessarily better than the other, but I think Jet fit the movie better.

"What are you doing?"
"Hangin' a pirate."

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

This movie was complete utter dog shit!!! Now I love me some over the top action movies with non stop brutality and death but that is because I can see the shot.. This movie especially the last act was so hard to make out because of the close up and quick edits shaky cam shit made it difficult for me to watch, I couldn't keep up!!! There are some nice little touches like Crew's gunning down muthafuckas left and right but the fight scenes just fell flat like a 13 yr old girls chest!!!! If you want a badass American action movie this year or last check out Undisputed 3 by far the best action movie out!!! What a total letdown of a movie with an amazing cast and only to see Sly and Statham jerking each other off!!!!

[Monk Sante]

The Expendables was an OK action film (as action films go in Hollywood). I felt Stallone should have taken more time with the script. The plot was simply too weak. The fight scene between Jet and Dolph was just OK. Although I must say Dolph was the better actor of the bunch. I agree with OpiumKungFuCracker. The last 30 minutes was just too hard on the eyes. The ending was just too corny. This film didn't meet my expectations.:sad:

3 out of 5 stars.

[DeathFuMaster]

It was good for what is was, an American action film with a simple story that appeals to a broad audience. I do agree with KungFuBob on the quick edits. It really does make it hard to follow whats going on, especially when there are more than one "fights" going on at once. It ends up being a blur of action sequences. But I overall liked the movie, mostly because of the interactions between the actors.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned, were those action scenes in the finale too dark? I ask this in case it was a technical issue with the projector or was it the actual movie?

Yup, a little too dark.

I aso think that Jet was a better fit for the movie than Jackie. Jackie is more of a comedic prop fighter. Jet's American movies are action movies where he's a badass. Not that one is necessarily better than the other, but I think Jet fit the movie better.

Good point. JC wouldn't have really "fit".

This movie was complete utter dog shit!!!

Damn! I think you need more opium on your cracker. :smile: LOL Seriously though, I completely understand where you're coming from.

If you want a badass American action movie this year or last check out Undisputed 3 by far the best action movie out!!!

I don't think the US can take credit for this one. Wasn't it a UK production? Either way, this little movie did blow away THE EXPENDABLES in the martial arts/fighting department. That's for sure. U3 is freaking awesome!

It really does make it hard to follow whats going on, especially when there are more than one "fights" going on at once. It ends up being a blur of action sequences.

I definitely long for the days of the nice, clear, well-composed shots that show movie action. Remember THE FRENCH CONNECTION, FIRST BLOOD, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE? All of these featured fantastic action scenes where you could... gasp... see what was going on!

I agree that the scenes should have been lit better, and it would have been nice to get a clearer view of who was doing what during the climactic fighting. As was mentioned above- no one gets to have "specific moves or styles" because everything is shot too tight and cut into quarter second bits. Still, my tolerance for this style of action filmmaking has grown, and I thought that THE EXPENDABLES was pretty damn good considering it was created using these modern, restrictive cinematic techniques.

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

I don't think the US can take credit for this one. Wasn't it a UK production? Either way, this little movie did blow away THE EXPENDABLES in the martial arts/fighting department. That's for sure. U3 is freaking awesome!



.

Oops my fault, at least we agree than Undisputed 3 is awesome!!!

[BaronK]

Didn't know Kwei was working bts on this. He wasn't the only action director then. He is not the one that did this fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB2--HhNcr4

[KUNG FU BOB]

Didn't know Kwei was working bts on this. He wasn't the only action director then. He is not the one that did this fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB2--HhNcr4

Cool clip. I wish I could've seen all these cool moves in the actual film. It's so much darker in the finished product.

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

Looks like I'll have to check out Undisputed 3. So which Expendable cast member did everyone like the best? Stallone was likable, Statham got all the cool shit to do, Lundgren was hilarious, Crews was great, I always love Jet Li, Rourke was a scene stealer.....so who was everyone's favorite?

Also, who should be in the sequel if it gets made? I would love to see Kurt Russell.

[BLfan]

For the sequel I would like to see the following with the possiblity of some women action stars:

Wesley Snipes
Harrison Ford
Jean Claude Van Damme
Sonny Chiba
Jackie Chan
Chow Yun Fat
Chuck Norris

Cynthia Rothrock
Michellle Yeoh

[Rhythm-X]

Remember THE FRENCH CONNECTION, FIRST BLOOD, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE? All of these featured fantastic action scenes where you could... gasp... see what was going on!

Hell, I remember the days of films like INCEPTION and SCOTT PILGRIM, which had fantastic action scenes where you could see what was going on. It seems like only yesterday...

[KyFi]

I definitely long for the days of the nice, clear, well-composed shots that show movie action. Remember THE FRENCH CONNECTION, FIRST BLOOD, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE? All of these featured fantastic action scenes where you could... gasp... see what was going on!

I agree that the scenes should have been lit better, and it would have been nice to get a clearer view of who was doing what during the climactic fighting. As was mentioned above- no one gets to have "specific moves or styles" because everything is shot too tight and cut into quarter second bits. Still, my tolerance for this style of action filmmaking has grown, and I thought that THE EXPENDABLES was pretty damn good considering it was created using these modern, restrictive cinematic techniques.

I might disagree that it's a case that this is the modern style of action filmmaking----I've loved a bunch of action movies in the 90s and 00s. Heck, I thought Predators was awesome just a few weeks ago. I think this was just uniquely bad or misguided editing for this movie. I don't recall ever being so taken out of a movie that I was enjoying, and WANTED to love, just by the poorly constructed action scenes. I almost felt like I was watching two movies---one was this fun throwback with a bunch of great old-school action stars, and the other one was this confusing blur of lightning fast action with a bunch of guys I could hardly make out clearly. At least, I HOPE this isn't going to be a popular modern style of action filmmaking! :tinysmile_angry2_t:


edit: ah, I see Rhythm-X already made my point.

[Rhythm-X]

I might disagree that it's a case that this is the modern style of action filmmaking----I've loved a bunch of action movies in the 90s and 00s. Heck, I thought Predators was awesome just a few weeks ago. I think this was just uniquely bad or misguided editing for this movie. I don't recall ever being so taken out of a movie that I was enjoying, and WANTED to love, just by the poorly constructed action scenes. I almost felt like I was watching two movies---one was this fun throwback with a bunch of great old-school action stars, and the other one was this confusing blur of lightning fast action with a bunch of guys I could hardly make out clearly. At least, I HOPE this isn't going to be a popular modern style of action filmmaking! :tinysmile_angry2_t:


edit: ah, I see Rhythm-X already made my point.

This Paul Greengrass shaky-cam bullshit makes me long for the days of everyone ripping off Bullet Time. Fiend for it, even. It's like the action movie equivalent of Autotune and like Autotune it needs to end as of several years ago. I'd really hoped EXPENDABLES would move away from that style, since it was supposed to be this glorious 80s throwback to the days of practical gore effects and coherent camerawork. After all, Jack Cardiff (THE RED SHOES, THE AFRICAN QUEEN) shot the quintessential Stallone symphony of violence, RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II. Action doesn't have to look like shit, and I expected more from Stallone. I didn't expect high drama, or deep meaning, or a profound intellectual experience - I wanted to see him make a film to show these fools how the hell you're really supposed to do this action thing.

I expected a ice cold tall can of Budweiser, I got room temperature O'Douls.

[HongKongMaster]

it was an awful movie, im really disapointed,i was expecting far more after rambo 4, they need a real writer...a real choregrapher.... 5/10

[dionbrother]

Hell, I remember the days of films like INCEPTION and SCOTT PILGRIM, which had fantastic action scenes where you could see what was going on. It seems like only yesterday..

And I remember the days when pussies weren't cast as action heroes, something THE EXPENDABLES gets right, which outweighs everything it does wrong. SCOTT PILGRIM looks like the perfect movie for the emo nerd video game pussy generation. No way in fucking hell will I see that shit.

[Monk Sante]

Looks like I'll have to check out Undisputed 3. So which Expendable cast member did everyone like the best? Stallone was likable, Statham got all the cool shit to do, Lundgren was hilarious, Crews was great, I always love Jet Li, Rourke was a scene stealer.....so who was everyone's favorite?

Also, who should be in the sequel if it gets made? I would love to see Kurt Russell.

Lundgren was the most believable character in the film IMO, everybody else was just sucking each others you know whats. I say to hell with the sequel, Hollywood is running out of ideas. It seems these days films are more about a hollywood personalities to sell a film than taking the time to write good scripts for the real actors. YO Hollywood! You Suck!
I'll get my action Hong Kong style! :tinysmile_angry2_t:

[daisho2004]

OK I just got back from seeing this movie today, and I thought it was totally of the hook! I cannot believe all the negative reviews you Guys have given here.
1st. Off for a non M.A. movie I thought the action was awesome.
2nd. I thought Gary Daniels part was weak, I really was hoping for better fight scenes with him in it.
3rd. I would've liked to have seen Dolph have a bigger role but he was still badass!
4th. I think the movie could've done without Bruce and Arnold, even though it was a little comical.
But overall it has to be one of the best Action movies that have been made in years and the casting for the most part was great.
I just hope that in the sequel that they get Donnie Yen involved in it. And add some more M.A. fighters in it as well.

[Votan]

For what it's worth, I thought this movie was a lot of fun, and no worse than your typical action movie plotwise.

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

And I remember the days when pussies weren't cast as action heroes, something THE EXPENDABLES gets right, which outweighs everything it does wrong. SCOTT PILGRIM looks like the perfect movie for the emo nerd video game pussy generation. No way in fucking hell will I see that shit.

Scott Pilgrim is fantastic and the better movie imo... I'm not emo but I play a shit load of video games though...

[Rhythm-X]

And I remember the days when pussies weren't cast as action heroes, something THE EXPENDABLES gets right, which outweighs everything it does wrong. SCOTT PILGRIM looks like the perfect movie for the emo nerd video game pussy generation. No way in fucking hell will I see that shit.

How can solid casting outweigh being able to see what the well-cast tough guys are doing? That's the disappointing thing about EXPENDABLES - to get this bunch of guys together only to stick them in such a needlessly shoddy production.

SCOTT PILGRIM was really very good - almost like SPACED meets MIND GAME in Toronto, though far more linear than MIND GAME. Paul Rapovski and Brad Allen provide inventive action sequences that Edgar Wright and his editors were kind enough not to Cuisinart in the final edit. It's a fun film which I'll definitely be watching again.

[dionbrother]

How can solid casting outweigh being able to see what the well-cast tough guys are doing? That's the disappointing thing about EXPENDABLES - to get this bunch of guys together only to stick them in such a needlessly shoddy production

Not every action scene in THE EXPENDABLES was lousy. The Li-Lundgren and Couture-Austin fights sucked, but I had little else to complain about. There is a lot more to a flick than action scenes. The movie was about men, which puts it miles above anything starring Michael Cera. The fact that the first Friday morning screening was packed with dudes over the age of 30 is significant. SCOTT PILGRIM might as well have starred Boy George and George Michael. I don't want to see movies about empowered neo-maxi zoom dweebies.. Such films are a waste of time. I'm sick of feminized male leads and limp-wristed douchebags teens cast as heroes. TWILIGHT, BOURNE IDENTITY, and now this crap. I'm wondering if Simon Pegg was the reason Edgar Wright was worth a damn.

And had it been made in 1986, THE EXPENDABLES would have been a typical weekend time killer from Cannon. But because it was released this week, it is now something special. Time and the cyclical nature of movies can make the routine exceptional.

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

Dion what did you think of Undisputed 3? I felt watching the expendables was like eating a steak and burger and watching Undisputed 3 was like cooking a dead animal over a fire roasting flame at a bonfire...

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

Hey dionbrother, want to know why Twilight has feminized male leads? Because it was made for pre-teen girls, that’s why. Yes, Twilight is horrible, but you’re also not the target audience. And as for the Bourne movies, I think Matt Damon does just fine and I’m not sure why you’d even put it in the same category. One is a young adult romance story, and the other is a secret agent action story. And Scott Pilgrim is supposed to be an over the top comedy/action/romance story meant solely for ridiculous fun. It’s not advertising itself as the next badass movie. Unless you hear about Michael Cera being cast as John McClane in Die Hard 5, you have nothing to complain about. It’s like complaining that romantic comedies exist aren’t more like action movies. Different genres for different people.

That being said, I also loved the Expendables and I agree that it was disappointing that the Li-Lundgren fight sucked, but that the other action was satisfying. The movie is extremely entertaining, an awesome throwback to 80s action films, and it’s awesome to see that many actors that I like. People just need to take the movie for what it’s worth.

[OldPangYau]

My quick review:

7 out of 10

Great action cast, a lot of fun, but had potential for more.

However, I look forward to "The Return of The Expendables". If the weekend numbers are anything to go by, pre-production will be underway immediately.

[mpm74]

it was an awful movie, im really disapointed,i was expecting far more after rambo 4, they need a real writer...a real choregrapher....

I agree with you 100%. However, I didn’t think any particular choreographed action scene was bad. But yeah, after Rambo 4, I hear ya...

People just need to take the movie for what it’s worth.

That's too easy. If that was the case, AVATAR and KARATE KID (2010) would be good movies. (don't get me wrong, I've been guilty of saying that line for a lot of movies myself, so I understand, yet, realize how awful that sounds when I have to hear it from someone else...)

Please check out my review (in the reviews section) if you guys get a chance. =D

[dionbrother]

Dion what did you think of Undisputed 3? I felt watching the expendables was like eating a steak and burger and watching Undisputed 3 was like cooking a dead animal over a fire roasting flame at a bonfire...

Loved UNDISPUTED 3 and in a more just world, it would play on a grindhouse double bill with EXPENDABLES and an audience could see it as the superior film succeeding within its limited goals. Very unfortunate that it got stuck in the direct-to-video ghetto. Scott Adkins should be playing Jason Bourne, not that Cambridge wimp who resembles a lesbian gym teacher.

[dionbrother]

Hey dionbrother, want to know why Twilight has feminized male leads? Because it was made for pre-teen girls, that’s why. Yes, Twilight is horrible, but you’re also not the target audience. And as for the Bourne movies, I think Matt Damon does just fine and I’m not sure why you’d even put it in the same category. One is a young adult romance story, and the other is a secret agent action story. And Scott Pilgrim is supposed to be an over the top comedy/action/romance story meant solely for ridiculous fun. It’s not advertising itself as the next badass movie. Unless you hear about Michael Cera being cast as John McClane in Die Hard 5, you have nothing to complain about. It’s like complaining that romantic comedies exist aren’t more like action movies. Different genres for different people.

Those TWILIGHT Movies are making crazy money, which means guys are seeing them as well. I suspect the scawny teenagers I see in public clad in their My Chemical Romance shirts, nose rings and Bright Eyes hoodies are the culprits. I compare the Bourne movies to THE EXPENDABLES because they are made for the action crowd. In between sessions of blowing Howard Zinn, Damon wanted to be an action hero, despite being a complete twink. A hero in an action movie should look like he can win a bar fight. That's why Charles Bronson, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood were the only movie stars my WWII vet of a grandfather would bother to see in theaters. If you can get real life tough guys to buy into your fictional action movie, you've got credibility.

And the Bourne movies have action scenes far worse than anything in EXPENDABLES. Greengrass shakes his camera even in the dialogue scenes.

Christ, now I'm sounding like the Walt Kowalski of the board. I might be too old for this site.

[mpm74]

I thought all the BOURNE movies were lame, with the exception of the first one.

Back to The Expendables:

There’s never a moment in The Expendables where I felt the characters lives were at stake. They’re too badass, extremely calculated, and none of them die (we NEEDED a death, especially if this was a 'throwback' to 80's action films). Was Sly afraid he might hurt someone’s feeling if he killed them off or something? Even the Rambo films had a sense of danger, suspense and unexpected deaths.

Is it me or was Statham given the best shots/choreography in the movie?

If you look at all the great actions movies of the 80's (Die Hard, Rambo, Lethal Weapon, and even Delta Force), they had a nice rhythm, a build up to look forward to, and a villain you couldn’t wait to see get fucked up. The Expendables felt like action was being popped in our faces, leaving no room for the rest of the movie to breathe. Mind you, it doesn't help that the screenplay, dialogue and character development was generic. As for the music? LAME. I want to hear some Jerry Goldsmith-synth type shit; not whatever they used (that’s how bad it was).

And uh, I have to mention, what the heck was Dolph doing hanging out at the end? That was just straight up silly. That's something you'd see at the end of a GI JOE cartoon. Yeah, let's just forgive the guy for trying to kill us. Was that for real or was I dreaming?

I know, just a movie, but still!

My review is now up. =D (http://kungfucinema.com/forums/showthread.php?p=136117#post136117)

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

And uh, I have to mention, what the heck was Dolph doing hanging out at the end? That was just straight up silly. That's something you'd see at the end of a GI JOE cartoon. Yeah, let's just forgive the guy for trying to kill us. Was that for real or was I dreaming?

I know, just a movie, but still!


Yeah, pretty bizarre sequence.. He acted like it was a reunion at Bayside high or something when just a few minutes ago he was trying to gun down his whole crew...

[daisho2004]

And uh, I have to mention, what the heck was Dolph doing hanging out at the end? That was just straight up silly. That's something you'd see at the end of a GI JOE cartoon. Yeah, let's just forgive the guy for trying to kill us. Was that for real or was I dreaming?


mpm74: I was kinda surprised at that scene myself, but I guess since he was so doped up on drugs and after being shot he realized he fucked up he was given a 2nd. chance to redeem himself. I was kinda surprised nobody in the group got killed either, I think it would've made it more realistic in certain ways. but still an awesome movie even with its minor flaws.

OK now I wish everyone would stop comparing this movie to Undisputed 3 and the Borne movies and even Twilight. there all totally different and fill a purpose to the general audience they are made for. I did like the Borne trilogy movies and thought Undisputed 3 rock, and I would hope Scott Adkins is in the next EXPENDABLES movie he is for real! But everyone here is really ripping this movie to pieces and it was a total Badass movie. What were you all expecting? True some Actors had more screen time and better action fight scenes but on a whole it Rocked!

[KyFi]

Im just expecting a good old school action movie.

That's what I was hoping for too, but IMO, this ain't it. The actors were about the only thing old-school in this one. As far as the action scenes and filmmaking, this was 100% post-MTV, modern hipster hyper-editing and shaky cameras.

I had to put in The Magnificent Seven last night just to get the bad taste out of my mouth. :wink:

[dionbrother]

Note that Sly also dropped his ego and had Austin's character kick his ass, with Couture getting the revenge brawl. If this were made in 1985, that would have not been the case. But the fight would have been better filmed.

It was unfortunate that Sly chose the confuse-o-vision style, but I think most of these Hollywood types do not understand that we hate this shit. They just see goddamn GLADIATOR (which started it) and the Bourne movies making tons of cash and stupidly think "See, that's what these peasants love!". Sly does listen to fan feedback, so there is hope in a sequel.

Or just hire Isaac Florentine to direct the sequel.

[slinky]

I didn't like Steve Austin's part that much and Sly should have done more with Randy, besides that i liked the movie. :tongue: Oh and poor Gary.

[bamboo spear]

I loved it. I didn't know Gary Daniels was in it, so that was a pleasant surprise, and his "final" scene was fantastic. Everyone went crazy for Arnie's cameo, the plane/flare gun flyover, Terry Crew's cleanup in the tunnel, and Stone Cold putting Sly against the wall at 100mph. I actually liked that Dolph lived.

Please let there be a sequel with Bill Duke, Al Leong, Bobby Lashley, Sho Kosugi, Ray Park, Batista and Sonny Chiba!

[mpm74]

People missing from Expendables, and since "low budget" Gary Daniels was in the film, I decided to add more low budget fellas:

- Carl Weathers
- Chuck Norris
- Micheal Dudikoff
- Sho Kosugi
- Clint Eastwood
- Jeff Speakman
- Philip Rhee
- Loren Avedon
- Don "The Dragon" Wilson

Get all the NFL and UFC guys out of there! =D

[mpm74]

Cool interview.

I have nothing but respect for sly. Even if I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought, i'll see an Expendable sequel, as long as he changes up the cast!

[Drunken Monk]

I watched this yesterday and loved it. I agree that the use of close up shots and shaky cam were a bit annoying but that wasn't enough to make this film anything less than a rip roaring slice of action pie.

I have a feeling too many people expected too much from the film. We didn’t get character development, a sense of realism or anything close to dramatic film making in, say, “Commando” so why should “The Expendables” aim for anything different? It’s a simply, adrenaline fuelled action film. Face it, Dolph Lundgren seems to have completely forgotten how to act but did it make the film any worse? Certainly not!
I accepted “The Expendables” for what it is and I wasn’t at all disappointed. There were rounds of applause and yells of glee from the audience I was a part of. Great, great stuff.

As a side note, considering Stallone is a fan of Jackie Chan, did anyone else feel that Gary Daniels getting kicked into the blocks of heroin and having them topple down was a little homage to “Dragons Forever?” That was my first thought when seeing that scene but perhaps it’s my overactive imagination.

[mpm74]

I thought Gary Daniels got his neck snapped?

[Drunken Monk]

I thought Gary Daniels got his neck snapped?

He did but prior to that he got kicked into a few boxes.

[Lionclaw]

Steve Austin broke Sly's neck in the tackle scene. Sly had to have 3 metal screws put in his neck, Sly refuses to use stunt doubles.

I'm pretty sure he had a double at the last part of that twisting scissor grapple he did on Austin, though.

[lillippa328]

movie was awsome

[dionbrother]

I think the "Austin broke Sly's neck" story is fake. Wrestlers are trained to not injure their opponents and Austin has done the move over a 1000 times. Everytime a wrestler is cast in a movie, a pr spin comes out about how the wrestler injured the lead. No reporter is going to check out Sly's medical records or demand proof. Kind of like how Jackie claims he did stunts performed by Chin Kar Lok, Stanley Tong, etc.

[Fat_Dragon]

I think the "Austin broke Sly's neck" story is fake. Wrestlers are trained to not injure their opponents and Austin has done the move over a 1000 times. Everytime a wrestler is cast in a movie, a pr spin comes out about how the wrestler injured the lead. No reporter is going to check out Sly's medical records or demand proof. Kind of like how Jackie claims he did stunts performed by Chin Kar Lok, Stanley Tong, etc.

its true he was on letterman they showed his x ray

[Lionclaw]

It's very true. Sly released the x-rays a few months back, and says whenever he gets injured while making a film, the film is successful.

Yeah, I saw some behind the scenes/documentary about the fight on youtube. It looked like a pretty hard charge and I think Sly's winded out look after was real. They also showed the x ray.

[dionbrother]

You know X-rays can be faked, right? It's showbiz and Sly has worked with wrestlers since PARADISE ALLEY (Terry Funk, among others). I seem to recall Ricky Steamboat having X-rays of his larynx after Randy Savage "crushed" it with a ring bell.

If he did injure himself, he should have edited the fight better. I could barely tell where the neck injury would have occurred. Jackie would have shown it three times in a row and had his crew of lackeys fanning him during the credits (and you know Jackie has faked that stuff as well).

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

There's no reason to assume Stallone is lying. The Expendable already had such hype that there'd be no reason to make up a story about that. I agree with the above saying that it's a 64 year old man doing his own stunts (remarkable, really) and Austin not recognizing that (jerk). No reason to call out Stallone.

[dionbrother]

Except Sly did use a double. He's always lied about his steroid usage and cheated on his first wife quite a bit, so don't assume he's 100% honest. This isn't a negative on Sly, Hollywood has always been about smoke and mirrors. There's plenty of stories in the industry that never reach the public. They were using every promotion tactic imaginable to get THE EXPENDABLES over and it worked. Jackie fakes his injuries, so why assume Sly is above it? Austin was never known for injuring his opponents in the ring and many would say he was great to work with. So he's gonna injure Stallone during a carefully rehearsed and choreographed fight scene? Doesn't pass the smell test.

And hey, I like Stallone, but I know a work when I see it.

[dionbrother]

A planned tackle doesn't break your neck. If Sly really was injured, it may have more to do with what roids did to him or the HGH he takes these days (not that I really begrudge him for HGH usage, from what I've seen the good outweighs the bad).

I really hope he recuts the action scenes for dvd like Chan did with the Asian version of THE PROTECTOR. He'd be the greatest action director ever for admitting mistakes and correcting them.

[Lionclaw]

Did you guys see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYC_Kk4rq5s
Looks pretty convincing to me.

[dionbrother]

I call bullshit. His neck never hit anything, He is tackled into what is likely a crashpad covered in dirt and even if it wasn't a crashpad, landing into a pile of sand or dirt isn't going to crack your spine, especially if you are trained to take a fall and I'd bet a few nickels Sly is trained for that. The whole way the alleged injury is filmed and edited...for "dramatic effect"...gives it away. There is nothing in the footage that reveals a neck injury. And if Sly needed that type of surgery, it's from years of wear and tear, not from what Austin did.

Another bs detector bomb: using footage from the Hogan fight in ROCKY III. Hogan is protecting Sly in every move. But its edited to look like Sly "suffered for his art."

[Markgway]

It doesn't matter how much you rehearse or how many precautions you take there's always room for injury.

[dionbrother]

And said injury is not proven by this video. In fact, it has put more doubt on the story.

[Markgway]

I have no reason to doubt Stallone's story.
The video doesn't prove he didn't sustain said injury.
So why are you so sure?
What do you know that nobody else does?

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

Agreed. There's no reason to doubt his story, and nothing in the video provides definitive proof that Stallone didn't get injured. All I keep hearing is that someone didn't get their nap today.

[Bravery]

Wrestlers are trained to pile drive, but that didntstop Stone Cold from getting a broken neck.

[dionbrother]

New cover story of Muscle & Fitness features an interview with Stallone about THE EXPENDABLES and I saw NO MENTION WHATSOEVER of the injury. Guess it didn't serve the purpose of promoting that bodybuilding lifestyle.

The piledriver is a move that requires the best training and expertise in wrestling. That's why Verne Gagne only allowed Mad Dog Vachon to apply the move in the old AWA territory. And also why Jerry Lawler rarely used it in Memphis except with the most competent pros. WWE fans with more knowledge of the current product can correct me, but I think McMahon banned the move in his promotion.

A tackle to the ground is a different story, however, and under controlled conditions of moviemaking, will rarely injure anybody.
'
What do I know that you don't? Hollywood stars have lied about stuntwork and fake injuries for decades. Like Bridget Fonda claiming she did 6 hours of kickboxing everyday for POINT OF NO RETURN but all of her moves are done by Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon in the film. Sly's bragging about doing his own stunts became a staple of Jim Carey's parody of Sly ("Ehhhh, I do my own stunts") many years ago. Jackie Chan lied to you for years, and everybody always gets so religous and faith-based about ("Why would Jackie lie to us? How dare you question the Chan Man!"). I've been around a long time and dealt with possibly three different generations of fans and its always the same. Any story of a star's injury always enhances action movie publicity among the laymen. There's young people that went to see THE CROW because they thought the movie contained Brandon Lee's death on film. It's no different than Michael Moore claiming the White House was trying to censor his addle-brained crockumentaries or Vin Diesel pretending to be heterosexual or Jet Li doubled for nearly everything except breathing. It's the reason they hire publicist for these movies.

Stunt crews are very professional and if stars are injured on their sets, they wouldn't work again. It reflects very badly on any stunt co-ordinator when an actor is injured. Vernon Wells told me the only injury on the set of MAD MAX 2 was when the crew went out for beer after work. And those are still some of the greatest stunts ever on film.

It's called Showbiz, kids. There's TOM AND JERRY cartoons about this subject.

[Markgway]

Whilst your cynicsm of the movie biz maybe justified I still see not a single shred of evidence to back up your claims. You could be right. Who knows? But forgive me for not just taking your word for it.

Actors frequently train in martial arts in preperation for action movies only for the bulk to be done by stunt people. Bridget Fonda is not an isolated case. There are many reasons why a double will be used. It doesn't mean the actor didn't put the work in.

Jet Li has been heavily doubled for every film he's made post Born to Defend. He badly injured his back doing his own stunts on that one and has been very cautious ever since.

No comment to make on Michael Moore or Vin Diesel.

[dionbrother]

It's not cynicism, it is reality of the business. Look at any movie magazines from the 50s and 60s "Rock Hudson and Doris Day: is there hanky panky behind the scenes?!". Movie spin has been around since the silents. It creates an aura and interest in seeing the film. It's the extra spice that can sell a few more tickets.

I'm not obligated to give you evidence and would only be able to do so by either having worked on the set or hacking into Sly's medical file. I am simply not convinced that the said injury occurred and that video doesn't prove anything. It looks like a big work. Vincent Lyn witnessed an uninjured Jackie Chan faking an injury while the stunt men fanned him, strictly filmed for the credits of OPERATION CONDOR. If Sly cracked his spine, he wouldn't have been able to sulk off the set the way he did. A medical crew would have attended to him ASAP and he'd be crying in pain. The film also would have shut down much longer as that surgery would have required much more recovery time. The whole video is shot and edited to look like an episode of JERSEY SHORE on MTV, and plenty has leaked out that JS has a lot of worked incidents as well.

[Lionclaw]

New cover story of Muscle & Fitness features an interview with Stallone about THE EXPENDABLES and I saw NO MENTION WHATSOEVER of the injury. Guess it didn't serve the purpose of promoting that bodybuilding lifestyle.

The piledriver is a move that requires the best training and expertise in wrestling. That's why Verne Gagne only allowed Mad Dog Vachon to apply the move in the old AWA territory. And also why Jerry Lawler rarely used it in Memphis except with the most competent pros. WWE fans with more knowledge of the current product can correct me, but I think McMahon banned the move in his promotion.

A tackle to the ground is a different story, however, and under controlled conditions of moviemaking, will rarely injure anybody.
'
What do I know that you don't? Hollywood stars have lied about stuntwork and fake injuries for decades. Like Bridget Fonda claiming she did 6 hours of kickboxing everyday for POINT OF NO RETURN but all of her moves are done by Cheryl Wheeler-Dixon in the film. Sly's bragging about doing his own stunts became a staple of Jim Carey's parody of Sly ("Ehhhh, I do my own stunts") many years ago. Jackie Chan lied to you for years, and everybody always gets so religous and faith-based about ("Why would Jackie lie to us? How dare you question the Chan Man!"). I've been around a long time and dealt with possibly three different generations of fans and its always the same. Any story of a star's injury always enhances action movie publicity among the laymen. There's young people that went to see THE CROW because they thought the movie contained Brandon Lee's death on film. It's no different than Michael Moore claiming the White House was trying to censor his addle-brained crockumentaries or Vin Diesel pretending to be heterosexual or Jet Li doubled for nearly everything except breathing. It's the reason they hire publicist for these movies.

Stunt crews are very professional and if stars are injured on their sets, they wouldn't work again. It reflects very badly on any stunt co-ordinator when an actor is injured. Vernon Wells told me the only injury on the set of MAD MAX 2 was when the crew went out for beer after work. And those are still some of the greatest stunts ever on film.

It's called Showbiz, kids. There's TOM AND JERRY cartoons about this subject.

Wow, you seem very passionate about your claim. A lot of your evidence maybe true but I don't think its that serious. Jet Li is doubled in almost every movie which I hate to see. (Thats why I love Kiss of the Dragon.) I don't recall Jackie ever saying he did his own stunts. I think that was all marketing. Jackie Chan has been doubled for many various reasons for a long time but most people are myseterious in denial about that. I really do agree with a lot of your argument, but in the world we live in its so hard to seperate fact from fiction. He may have been injured he may have not, but hes like 64. Its not unbelievable. And I don't see why they'd go as far as to fake x rays. By the way, are you denying all his claimed injuries or just the pile drive one?

[dionbrother]

If you saw Jackie during the press junket for his first two or three big imports in the US (RUMBLE, SUPERCOP and FIRST STRIKE), he did claim to do all of his own stunts and I recall that's how he presented himself to Jonathan Ross on the Incredibly Strange Film Show. It's also how he presented himself in his Asian fanclub magazine and I'm pathetic enough to have an issue from 1989. Play a drinking game of how often Jackie claims "I almost died" during any long form interview and you'll have a serious hangover in the morning.

I'm not claiming Stallone hasn't been injured on his movies. I'm saying I don't believe the Austin tackle injured him enough to have spinal surgery. Austin would have been fired/replaced if that were a legit injury. It adds some sizzle to the pr "Sly is willing to break his bones for this movie." Pure carny marketing.

In his book SLY MOVES (recommended,btw), Sly said his worst injury was blowing out his shoulder while bench pressing with Franco Columbo.

[Lionclaw]

Sly put the x-rays out to prove he's not joking. Here are the x-rays.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/01/13/sylvester-stallone-puts-up-x-rays-of-his-broken-neck-on-the-internet-see-pics-115875-21964851/

http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=16451

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/usa/2805652/Stallone-silences-cynics-with-X-rays-of-neck-injury.html

http://www.popeater.com/2010/07/20/sylvester-stallone-late-show/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvsh
owbiz/article-1242898/Sylvester-Stallone-breaks-neck-shooting-fight-scene-veteran-action-heroes-movie.html

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/3229548/Sylvester-Stallone-reveals-neck-break-x-ray

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/stallone-releases-x-rays_1128481

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1572055.php/Sylvester-Stallone-shows-off-broken-neck-injury-x-ray

http://www.today.az/news/entertainment/59411.html

'For the doubters and the haters, a picture is worth a thousand words. You walk the walk, you pay the price.'
-Sly
Good find DragonSword. This sure beats the video I posted. Like I said, who would go that far to fake x-rays for a movie that was already extremely hyped in the first place?

[franjunki]

Thanks For the Downloading Links Sharing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Expendables is a nice Movie..I watched the Movie in Theater..It's nice Screenplay,Music,Back ground Music, then 13 holy wood Heroes in One Movie all are plus Point in that movie..I watched the Free trailer in here http://www.mtjunkie.org/the-expendables-2010-08-10/ The Expendables Before watching the Movie in Theater...Really nice Site for watching trailers...The Expendables Movie was Good...

[make believe]

If you saw Jackie during the press junket for his first two or three big imports in the US (RUMBLE, SUPERCOP and FIRST STRIKE), he did claim to do all of his own stunts and I recall that's how he presented himself to Jonathan Ross on the Incredibly Strange Film Show. It's also how he presented himself in his Asian fanclub magazine and I'm pathetic enough to have an issue from 1989. Play a drinking game of how often Jackie claims "I almost died" during any long form interview and you'll have a serious hangover in the morning.

I do recall Jackie saying he did his own stunts too. I'll admit though, him faking injuries is a bit of a surprise to me. I'm not saying it is or isn't true, just that it's a surprise and if true, then that's very disappointing to hear.

[thehangman]

Saw this on Friday wasnt a bad film some good bits,i found the fight between Dolph and Jet really bad and poorly shot especially as Corey yuen Choreographed it.

[Lionclaw]

Saw this on Friday wasnt a bad film some good bits,i found the fight between Dolph and Jet really bad and poorly shot especially as Corey yuen Choreographed it.

I'm happy with what is there especially the early fight with Stallone and Statham and the whole finally. Yes I know it would have been nice to see some wide shots and Undisputed like long takes but that kind of action is almost rare hollywood now. At least the Dolph and Jet fight didn't look we where in an earthquake.....*cough* Bourne *cough*

[dionbrother]

I've seen the links and they don't prove much. In this age of easily rendered digital art, this is all the proof you need?

However, one link did provide interesting comments:



TeemSelami writes:
on January 16th, 2010 at 1:28:02 AM
I've seen some stallone x-rays before and there is something fishy about that c-6 vertebrae.

Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=16451#ixzz0xNHftgOr


nuttie30xx writes:
on January 15th, 2010 at 10:45:27 PM
ive worked in an xray department for 8 month now and ive never seen nothing like this b4 granted i live in the uk but surely they cant be that different even the plate is a great deal bigger than anything i have seen b4 ever strange

Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=16451#ixzz0xNHpyg3h

[Lionclaw]

I've seen the links and they don't prove much. In this age of easily rendered digital art, this is all the proof you need?

However, one link did provide interesting comments:



TeemSelami writes:
on January 16th, 2010 at 1:28:02 AM
I've seen some stallone x-rays before and there is something fishy about that c-6 vertebrae.

Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=16451#ixzz0xNHftgOr


nuttie30xx writes:
on January 15th, 2010 at 10:45:27 PM
ive worked in an xray department for 8 month now and ive never seen nothing like this b4 granted i live in the uk but surely they cant be that different even the plate is a great deal bigger than anything i have seen b4 ever strange

Read more: http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=16451#ixzz0xNHpyg3h

Your very determined.....What kind of proof would you need to be satisfied? Stallone's personal doctor and records?

[dionbrother]

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Why are you so determined to believe anything a Hollywood star tells you? These people are paid b.s. artist, it's what they do for a living.

And congrats to Sly for touching a nerve with the audience. THE EXPENDABLES is #1 at the US boxoffice for its second week of release. Other people were also sick of wasp waisted sissies as action leads.

[Lionclaw]

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Why are you so determined to believe anything a Hollywood star tells you? These people are paid b.s. artist, it's what they do for a living.

And congrats to Sly for touching a nerve with the audience. THE EXPENDABLES is #1 at the US boxoffice for its second week of release. Other people were also sick of wasp waisted sissies as action leads.

I don't believe a lot of what anyone says but in this situation I just don't care. Sly getting injured or not is just not significant enough to investigate. I enjoyed the movie and the stunt doubles were minimal to non bothersome so I don't care about mishaps or rumors. (At least not that much.) My only problem is that Jet Li's english was pretty bad in this movie when its usually pretty good.

[mpm74]

I really hope that with the success of this film brings Rambo 5.

Even though it wasn't as successful and fun (to the masses), i like the tone of that film a lot more.

[dionbrother]

RAMBO is the superior film on every level, but if EXPENDABLES had that tone, it wouldn't be nearly as successful.

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

I want an Expendables 2. Since every review I read complained about the action editing, I bed they'd fix it for a sequel. Plus I just want another movie with all those actors. I mean, they didn't even kill Dolph Lundgren so he'd be back! I also want a sequel because I want Kurt Russel to join in haha

[KyFi]

I want an Expendables 2. Since every review I read complained about the action editing, I bed they'd fix it for a sequel. Plus I just want another movie with all those actors. I mean, they didn't even kill Dolph Lundgren so he'd be back! I also want a sequel because I want Kurt Russel to join in haha

Yep, that's what I want too. It seems that even people that liked the movie didn't care for the editing, so that might very well be fixed. I hope they bring in Van Damme---I just watched The Shepherd: Border Patrol the other night, and I thought that was a very solid action movie, and Van Damme can still bring it.

[Markgway]

Van Damme and Kurt Russell would be on my wish list -- with a cameo from Chuck Norris.

[Jesse Smooth]

Van Damme and Kurt Russell would be on my wish list -- with a cameo from Chuck Norris.

Sly actually talked to Chuck about a role in the movie.

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

And Van Damme and Kurt Russell for that matter. But hopefully these guys see what they missed out on and agree to a sequel.

[daisho2004]

Listen I want to see former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski in the next movie he is nasty as hell!

[Markgway]

Listen I want to see former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski in the next movie he is nasty as hell!

Because he gave such an amazing performance in Universal Soldier: Regeneration?

[daisho2004]

Because he gave such an amazing performance in Universal Soldier: Regeneration?

Markgway: You have to admit he made that movie, his fighting was so brutal & fierce! He would be excellent as a Villain in Expendables #2

[kingofkungfu2002]

I'd like to see a woman too in the sequel :wink:

[Karlos]

We all know that Terry Crews stepped in when 50 Cent was booted out/quit (depending on which article you read), but how much of the cast we got was actually first choice?

I understand that both Dolph and Steve Austin were cast after the original choices declined, but do we know who they were?

I can’t possibly believe Randy Couture was first choice for his role – or am I wrong?

I had to smile at the post with the THR Stallone interview, where he says, the main part he working out right now is, who stays for the sequel and who goes – I bet Randy Couture was not happy to read that!!

[Fat_Dragon]

I'd like to see a woman too in the sequel :wink:
I Bet i know who youre talking about,lol and id Love for Rothrock to be in there too..

We all know that Terry Crews stepped in when 50 Cent was booted out/quit (depending on which article you read), but how much of the cast we got was actually first choice?

I understand that both Dolph and Steve Austin were cast after the original choices declined, but do we know who they were?

I can’t possibly believe Randy Couture was first choice for his role – or am I wrong?

I had to smile at the post with the THR Stallone interview, where he says, the main part he working out right now is, who stays for the sequel and who goes – I bet Randy Couture was not happy to read that!!
I Hope Couture gets written out , i didnt like him, i wished gary daniels had his Role..

[daisho2004]

Na! Come on how can you not like Randy I thought he was really good in the movie! Again get some new blood in the sequel!

[Markgway]

Markgway: You have to admit he made that movie, his fighting was so brutal & fierce! He would be excellent as a Villain in Expendables #2

Well, it was a poor excuse for a movie.

The only time is came to life was when Dolph Lundgren was on screen.

"Pitbull" had about as much personality as a cracked walnut.

[Lionclaw]

Well, it was a poor excuse for a movie.

The only time is came to life was when Dolph Lundgren was on screen.

"Pitbull" had about as much personality as a cracked walnut.

I guess that was the tone they were going for. The first one had the perfect balance of action, humor, nad drama. Dolph was amazing in it.

[Markgway]

None of the Uni Sol films were up to much.
But the latest is the worst.
Looked cheap and ugly and appeared to have been filmed without the inconvenience of a script.

[mpm74]

Billy Blanks and Bill Wallace's sweatpants should have been in THE EXPENDABLES.

[daisho2004]

Well, it was a poor excuse for a movie.
The only time is came to life was when Dolph Lundgren was on screen.
"Pitbull" had about as much personality as a cracked walnut

Markgway: I kinda agree with you I think Dolph is the Man and I really was hoping he was going to fight with "The Pitbull" in the movie. But he also did make the movie!

[dionbrother]

Aaron Banks, Bob Wall and Clint Walker should be in the next EXPENDABLES. And Bill Louie, Bruno Sammartino, Harley Race and Klinton Spilsbury.

[KUNG FU BOB]

Wow, Clint Walker just turned 83 a few months ago. Still- a very cool dude for sure.... NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY!

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

If we're going with a Clint who is 80 years old and known for western roles.......haha what about Clint Eastwood? Shouldn't he be thought of first? He's still an awesome badass, even in his old age.

[Karlos]

In Expendables 2, I'd like to see a flashback to the 80's with Sly's original unit, consisting of:

Leo "Keep that bowl on my head steady, I don't want to end up with a funny haircut" Fong
Sho Kosugi (MUST have eye-liner on)
Michael Dudikoff
Brent Huff ("It can be done!!!")
That bloke off The Last Dragon
Eric Lee

Needless to say, they get all wiped out within the first five minutes.

[mpm74]

Bill Wallace and his sweatpants!

[Jesse Smooth]

Let's have George Tan bankroll the picture and serve as an Executive Producer.

[AlbertV]

If Gary Daniels got to be in the 1st film and Don "The Dragon" Wilson was in Batman Forever (As the skull-face painted gang leader Dick Grayson beats up), then here's who I think should be in THE EXPENDABLES 2:

Hell, get Loren Avedon! I'd love to see him as a villain taking on perhaps Jet Li or Dolph Lundgren.

[Lionclaw]

If Gary Daniels got to be in the 1st film and Don "The Dragon" Wilson was in Batman Forever (As the skull-face painted gang leader Dick Grayson beats up), then here's who I think should be in THE EXPENDABLES 2:

Hell, get Loren Avedon! I'd love to see him as a villain taking on perhaps Jet Li or Dolph Lundgren.

I forgot all about Loren Avedon! Thats a good idea and if Daniels can get it I don't see why Avedon can't. What ever happened to him anyways?

[make believe]

RAMBO is the superior film on every level, but if EXPENDABLES had that tone, it wouldn't be nearly as successful.

Not that I'm a big fan of Rambo but the movies were all entertaining enough to sit through at least once. The last one however, which also had the most potential, was completely ruined by the horrendously distracting cg effects.

[dionbrother]

Not that I'm a big fan of Rambo but the movies were all entertaining enough to sit through at least once. The last one however, which also had the most potential, was completely ruined by the horrendously distracting cg effects.

Didn't bug me when compared to how CGI is used for gore in current horror movies. Sly was heavily inspired by the action in the South Korean film BROTHERHOOD OF WAR. It oddly captured the tone of David Morrell's original FIRST BLOOD novel more than FIRST BLOOD the film.

[Fat_Dragon]

Loved This Movie!!

[gorhama]

I was finally able to see this and I love it!! Great action, some terrible one liners, and tons of explosions.

Could the fight scenes have been shot better?? Yeah but I still enjoyed the hell out of his movie!! I can't wait to see it again!!

[KUNG FU BOB]

I was finally able to see this and I love it!! Great action, some terrible one liners, and tons of explosions.

Could the fight scenes have been shot better?? Yeah but I still enjoyed the hell out of his movie!! I can't wait to see it again!!

Glad you felt the same way and dug this! :bigsmile: Can you imagine missing this in the theater? Still, I'm looking forward to seeing the DVD. :nerd:

[gorhama]

Glad you felt the same way and dug this! :bigsmile: Can you imagine missing this in the theater? Still, I'm looking forward to seeing the DVD. :nerd:

I would have been pissed if I missed it. The sound design was great and Terry Crews wields my new favorite movie gun of all time!!! The sound of the gun shots was totally awesome.

[Noelle Shadow Kick]

I would have been pissed if I missed it. The sound design was great and Terry Crews wields my new favorite movie gun of all time!!! The sound of the gun shots was totally awesome.

DEFINITELY a great one to see in theaters! And yeah, Terry Crews' gun was awesome, I loved that thing. Favorite movie gun of all time still goes to the shotgun from T2 Judgement Day. It's so badass how it reloads by spinning around the hand.

[Morgoth Bauglir]

In Expendables 2, I'd like to see a flashback to the 80's with Sly's original unit, consisting of:

Leo "Keep that bowl on my head steady, I don't want to end up with a funny haircut" Fong
Sho Kosugi (MUST have eye-liner on)
Michael Dudikoff
Brent Huff ("It can be done!!!")
That bloke off The Last Dragon
Eric Lee

Needless to say, they get all wiped out within the first five minutes.

Now that is a cast. Sly definitely needs to get Leo Fong involved. I think Fong should get the best line of the movie. But he only gets that one line.

Add to that cast Ron Van Clief, Dale Cook, Brigitte Nielson, Tong Po, Richard Harrison and Tom Arnold, and I'll be the first one in line to see the sequel.

[Markgway]

The Expendables **

Disappointed is the word.
Let's see... atrocious dialogue (much of it inaudible due to mumbling, thick accents, and poor sound mixing)
Wooden acting (Stallone can't even move his facial muscles anymore)
Action sequences ruined by shaky CLOSE UP camerawork and inept framing
CGI Blood (STOP with this shit!!)
Lack of nudity (two attractive women and neither gets their baps out)
Absence of plot (you know how they joke about scripts being written on the back of beer mats.... I think this one actually was)
Wasting of valuable cast members (Jet Li is too good a performer to be stuck as B-list sidekick)
Planet Hollywoood reunion (what a bust - looks like it was shot in 10 mins during someone's coffee break)
Also it was LOUD. Incredibly. Fucking. LOUD. Like someone holding a cordless drill to your ear for 2 hrs.
The violence was sooooooo over-the-top as to be like that in a video game (genuine 80s movies were NOT like this). This maybe the most mindlessly, graphically violent action film I've ever seen with a '15' certificate. What insaniac thought this WASN'T a clear '18'?
They say they don't make 'em like they used to. They were right.

[sifu iron perm]

im waiting the expendables clone straight to dvd's to come out..

[Karlos]

[QUOTE=DragonSword;137943]Sly announced that there will be a Expendables director's cut released in about 6 months on his twitter account.[QUOTE]


That's great news - I also understand that the feature-length making of, Inferno, will come bundled with this, too.

BTW, is it true Inferno was broadcast on a U.S. TV station last week?

If so, anyone happen to catch it?

[bengs]

Ended up watching it twice in the theater. Yes the dialogue isn't of great quality, the fight scenes could have been shot/edited better, without the fast cuts and close ups, but it was a fun film, enjoyable to watch, particularly the battle going near the end of the movie.

I'll be interested to see this director's cut, I wonder what could have been added or changed compared to the theatrical release.

[KUNG FU BOB]

im waiting the expendables clone straight to dvd's to come out..

Speak of the Devil... Yesterday on a shelf in Best Buy I saw EXPENDABLES 2!

I just had to pick it up (off the shelf- not to buy it! :xd:) to see what they were trying to sell. It's one of those bullshitty 4 movies sets. It looked like a bunch of old 80's films, but one of them was called/renamed EXPENDABLES 2.

What a bunch of little swindlers. Though, I almost feel like- if a person is silly enough to think there's a DTV sequel in stores for a film that's still in the theaters and doing big box office... welll then they deserve it! :tongue:

[Karlos]

Speak of the Devil... Yesterday on a shelf in Best Buy I saw EXPENDABLES 2!

I just had to pick it up (off the shelf- not to buy it! :xd:) to see what they were trying to sell. It's one of those bullshitty 4 movies sets. It looked like a bunch of old 80's films, but one of them was called/renamed EXPENDABLES 2.

What a bunch of little swindlers. Though, I almost feel like- if a person is silly enough to think there's a DTV sequel in stores for a film that's still in the theaters and doing big box office... welll then they deserve it! :tongue:

...And guess who's bought it? :tongue:

You're totally right, bro, these sets usually stink - but for once, this set is awesome as it includes the mega rare Cirio Santiago Vietnam war film - from where Sly undoubtedly got the name from - as well as 3 other hard to come by action films.

Think the film they're calling EXPENDABLES 2 is a rare Italian war actioner, called WILD TEAM.

It's a shame that these films are finally getting a DVD release with the main intent being to, as you say, con people into thinking there's already a sequel out there!

Jack J, who posts on this forum, has a run down on his blog, trashy-filipino-war-movies.blogspot.com/ :smile:

[Karlos]

Thanks for the info, DS!

[shapes]

Just finished watching this madness, really enjoyed it, Jason's fights were by far the best, the editing was reall bad, they need to watche Jacke's my stunts to see how to cut fights. hope we ge a 2nd one

[Karlos]

I hope there's more story and character stuff in the extended cut, as opposed to more action.

[Markgway]

Note to Sly: Please remove as many of the CGI shots as you can (especially CGI blood). Thx.

[WuxiaFan]

The Expendables director's cut is now available on On demand paper-view.

Wow, any news on a DVD/BR? :smile:

[Karlos]

According to Sheldon Lettich, JCVD will be the/a villain in EXPENDABLES 2.

[TibetanWhiteCrane]

This movie was beyond awful. Glad I just borrowed it from a buddy.

[blue_skies]

Note to Sly: Please remove as many of the CGI shots as you can (especially CGI blood). Thx.

I'm pleased to see I'm not the only one that doesn't like CGI blood.:bigsmile:

[OpiumKungFuCracker]

Find Out if You’re a Target in the Biggest U.S. BitTorrent Lawsuit Ever

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/05/bittorrent-lawsuit-checker

More than 23,000 people will soon be notified by their internet service providers that their subscriber information is being turned over to lawyers suing over the 2010 Sylvester Stallone flick The Expendables.

As we first reported Monday, the case is the largest BitTorrent file-sharing lawsuit in U.S. history.

We just updated our IP Detective tool with the 23,322 IP addresses targeted between Feb. 5 and April 22 in the mass lawsuit filed by the Washington-based U.S. Copyright Group on behalf of Nu Image.

All told, more than 140,000 BitTorrent downloaders are being targeted in dozens of lawsuits across the country, many of them for downloading B-grade movies and porn. Film companies pay snoops to troll BitTorrent sites, dip into active torrents and capture the IP addresses of the peers who are downloading and uploading pieces of the files.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a great resource on what to do if you’re a target.

As before, our widget also will attempt to check if you’re one of the nearly 6,000 targets in the controversial Nude Nuns with Big Guns case, or the OpenMind Solutions lawsuit going after nearly 3,000 alleged porn downloaders.

[Fist Of Boss]

Watched this just week ago, after reading many negative comments and heard from few friends movie is so-so at most I was pleased how good this turned to be. There was not boring moments..Not action movie of the year but I have spent ~90 mins time with hundreds far worse films:bigsmile:

[blue_skies]

Note to Sly: Please remove as many of the CGI shots as you can (especially CGI blood). Thx.

having actually seen the movie now I completely agree. I've never been a fan of CGI blood, it just looks crap doesn't look effective at all. Old school movies looks so much better with practical blood and gore.

As for the movie itself I can't say I cared for it. The action was mediocre at best. Story was again nothing special. No great memorable characters. No memorable fight sequences. For me this movie was just blah, not terrible but not even remotely good