Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
03-18-09, 06:17 PM
#51
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 9,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
No fucking way... you may not have liked it, but it operated on a level way above a typical Seagal movie (I'm talking the later years - some early Stevie ain't half bad)... I think you were expecting something DIFFERENT out of the film, especially if you're more a fan of the fighters in the movie... It's certainly not for everyone, which is typical Mamet...
03-18-09, 06:25 PM
#52
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
No fucking way... you may not have liked it, but it operated on a level way above a typical Seagal movie (I'm talking the later years - some early Stevie ain't half bad)... I think you were expecting something DIFFERENT out of the film, especially if you're more a fan of the fighters in the movie... It's certainly not for everyone, which is typical Mamet...
That is probably why...I am so involved in that culture that it couldn't have come across more ludicrous and ridiculous to me if Mamet tried.
03-18-09, 08:26 PM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Diego, Calif
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
At its center, the story is that of a man of principle thrust into a world where few have any honor whatsoever. Mamet could've made it a law drama, a soldier of fortune story, or an insider's view of Hollywood--the circumstances inform the story, but the drama isn't dependent on it.
FWIW, this was probably my favorite film of 2008 solely for Chewie's character and performance. Off-hand, I can think of only a handful of characters in film who were as admirable or principled as Mike.
FWIW, this was probably my favorite film of 2008 solely for Chewie's character and performance. Off-hand, I can think of only a handful of characters in film who were as admirable or principled as Mike.
03-16-13, 11:27 AM
#54
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Just finished watching this and really enjoyed it. Interesting to see Tim Allen go dramatic. Also: Nick from New Girl get a beatdown was a fun surprise. 
03-16-13, 02:29 PM
#57
Banned by request
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
I don't know how I never commented on this, but I think it's one of Mamet's best films. I didn't see it till after its theatrical run, but as soon as it finished I ordered the Blu-ray from Amazon.
03-16-13, 06:00 PM
#58
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Damn this one has been sitting my shelf for years - still haven't watched. Gonna make tonight the night.
02-17-14, 11:25 AM
#61
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Formerly known as "Solid Snake PAC"/Denton, Tx
Posts: 39,239
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Just finished seeing this. Holy fuck. I'd been wanting to see this for so long. Bought the BD off of ebay for 5 bucks, new. Just wow. So much is happening in this film. Vocally and visually. Damn. Omfg this was an awesome film.
I can't wait to see it with the commentary now.
I can't wait to see it with the commentary now.
02-17-14, 11:27 AM
#62
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Just finished seeing this. Holy fuck. I'd been wanting to see this for so long. Bought the BD off of ebay for 5 bucks, new. Just wow. So much is happening in this film. Vocally and visually. Damn. Omfg this was an awesome film.
I can't wait to see it with the commentary now.
I can't wait to see it with the commentary now.
I fucking love Mamet. This flick was great. Awesome cast. When I met Kristen Bell I kept wanting to know as much as I could about her time on Spartan.
02-17-14, 11:36 AM
#64
Banned by request
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Yeah, this movie was definitely one of my favorite Mamet movies. Actually, I like pretty much all of his movies, but I liked Redbelt just a little more. And I love the ending to it.
02-23-14, 10:39 PM
#67
Moderator
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
I may have to give this one another shot. Watched it shortly after it came out and didn't particularly care for it. And I'm a big fan of Mamet's work.
02-24-14, 09:49 AM
#68
DVD Talk Hero
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: In the straps of boots
Posts: 28,003
Received 1,183 Likes
on
835 Posts
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
When my daughter is old enough, this is one movie (among many) that I will show her, and say, "See. When you tell a story, you don't HAVE to tell the audience everything and hold their hands." Spartan was also good at this.
I was just thinking the other day how Spartan needs a Blu-ray release (I looked at my DVD, and said, "Why the fuck haven't I upgraded you yet?"). I can't seem to find one listed in North America, let alone the rest of the world.
I was just thinking the other day how Spartan needs a Blu-ray release (I looked at my DVD, and said, "Why the fuck haven't I upgraded you yet?"). I can't seem to find one listed in North America, let alone the rest of the world.
02-24-14, 10:10 AM
#69
Banned by request
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
A lot of Mamet movies need to get to blu, including The Spanish Prisoner, Spartan, Heist, Edmond and Glengarry Glen Ross.
02-24-14, 10:14 AM
#70
02-24-14, 10:17 AM
#71
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Yeah, I loved this movie. Compelling story, great performances, I'm impressed that Mamet made a good movie out of the most boring martial art.
02-25-14, 04:32 PM
#72
Senior Member
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
What a bump. I saw this and thought 'when it comes out May 9 i'll go see this.' Then I realized it was released May 9, 2008. Sounds like a good blind buy.
01-10-15, 06:24 PM
#74
Re: Redbelt (Mamet, 2008) — Chiwetel Ejiofor's jiu-jitsu movie
Saw Redbelt for the first time early last year, and truly enjoyed the film. Superb. I've never been a Tim Allen fan (and never liked H.I.), but he's quite good here, which is surprising since this is a drama.
This film has been compared to Mamet's earlier film The Spanish Prisoner (also excellent), though Redbelt definitely takes a different approach to the subject of being conned...Not sure which film I like best, but I will say that IMHO both films need to been seen several times to be truly appreciated, due to the storylines being somewhat convoluted/complicated.
I liked how the instruction that Mike Terry was giving in the beginning of the film
It was interesting to me that, in the very beginning - when the Emily Mortimer character walks in to the dojo -
Also interesting
This film has been compared to Mamet's earlier film The Spanish Prisoner (also excellent), though Redbelt definitely takes a different approach to the subject of being conned...Not sure which film I like best, but I will say that IMHO both films need to been seen several times to be truly appreciated, due to the storylines being somewhat convoluted/complicated.
I liked how the instruction that Mike Terry was giving in the beginning of the film
Spoiler:
It was interesting to me that, in the very beginning - when the Emily Mortimer character walks in to the dojo -
Spoiler:
Also interesting
Spoiler:
