Fu for Thought

The Sword (1980)

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! Enjoy!

 

 

The Street Fighter (1974)

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. Enjoy!

The Shadow Strays (2024)

This week we delve into the underworld of Indonesian crime with Timo Tjahanto's latest action epic, THE SHADOW STRAYS.

We kick the show off with some important Fu for Thought news and then jump into the review. Varied opinions on this one from the old Fu for Thought crew!

 

We talk about the juxtaposition between 13 and Umbra, the film's graphic violence, and how gimp masks add an extra layer to a villain. As well as loads more.

 

Later, we get into listener questions and discuss the feminine qualities of Lord of the Rings orcs, Devan makes a difficult decision between Thor and Black Panther, and we ask, "Are jump scares actually good?"

 

Enjoy!

Exhuma (2024)

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. Cyrus tells the story of when he saw people in his closet and I divulge why I'm scared of haunted houses (spoiler: it's racism).

 

Enjoy!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

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 bring up my very weird childhood duvet cover. Cyrus kicks things off with a health update.

We, of course, answer the classic questions: who is your favorite turtle? But along the way, I tell about half a dozen embarrassing stories from my teenage years and we talk about how we would be able to kill wolves. Enjoy!

A Bittersweet Life (2005)

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!

The Victim (1980)

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 also answer a smattering of listener quesions, Devan tells an emasculating story about our recent trip to a fair, and more! Enjoy!

Rapid Fire (1992)

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 film.
Later, we answer listener questions about movie spoilers, Black History Month, and where we would place a third ear if ear had one. Enjoy!

Black Lizard (1981)

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!

Exit Wounds

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 in this episode. I think I cranked our mics a little high, so you may want to turn your volume down slightly before listening.

ENJOY!