LEGEND OF A WARRIOR - Review By Greg Klymkiw

"Legend of a Warrior" was one of my top 15 films at this year's Hot Docs . It's now playing theatrically at one of the coolest venues in Toronto, the Projection Booth East and their new location, The Projection Booth Metro on Bloor. It's a touching, well crafted father-son story set against the backdrop of martial arts and featuring plenty of real-life chopsocky in the gym where the director reconnects with his Dad, one of the most famous and respected martial arts trainers in the world.

Legend of a Warrior (2012) ***
dir. Corey Lee
Starring: Frank Pang Lee, Corey Lee, Billy Chow

Review By Greg Klymkiw

There's nothing more exciting on film than movement. Yeah, sounds nuts, right? Movies are movement. Moving pictures. Motion pictures. The movies.

The movement I'm referring to, is when the camera captures a great dance number or chase scene or fight. In recent years, however, all three of those actions have succumbed to supplicating the vile MTV-and-post-MTV generations with annoying ADHD-styled shooting and cutting. You know the kind - the camera never rests for more than a few seconds on some poorly composed shot and is cut montage-like to fake the rhythm. Sound drives the cuts, more often than not. Picture is secondary when it comes to conveying information, dramatic beats, emotional beats and/or to provide juxtapositional imagery to convey a thought or idea.

This drives me completely up the wall. It's lazy filmmaking and denies audiences the true power and beauty of an exquisitely choreographed dance, chase or fight.

Luckily, if Legend of a Warrior had nothing else going for it (and it has plenty to offer), it has the distinction of featuring a whole passel of terrific fight scenes (mostly within the context of training action in the gym). And Glory Be To The Mighty Lord of Cinema, the picture is shot the way pictures involving action should be shot - mostly in long, wide or medium shots and only punching in for anything closer when there's a reason to do so. Most of the time, the superb camera work hangs back and the editing is spare in all the right ways.

Given the film's title and the way I've chosen to lead my review, you might think I was describing a new action picture starring Jason Statham. Curiously, I first watched Legend of a Warrior at the previous instalment of the Hot Docs Festival just after seeing Statham's newest fight-fest Safe (which is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray). The latter featured some spectacularly choreographed action and fights that were almost completely ruined by a boneheaded "director" who had no idea where to place the camera and tried to create thrills by throwing in as many closeups as possible with a ridiculous number of cuts. The former, however, was like a breath of fresh air.

This is all the more gratifying when one realizes Legend of a Warrior is a documentary - with a simple and solid story. If anything, my second helping of Legend of a Warrior happened to fall within the same period when I was immersed in the classic 50s Inagaki Samurai Trilogy from Japan where issues of honour, brotherhood and, most importantly the craft of shooting action was simple, straight forward and as such, were very exciting and at the forefront.

With the feature length Legend of a Warrior, director Corey Lee delivers a very personal documentary. Corey was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He's half Chinese and worries that both he and furthermore, his kids, need to discover their ethnic roots while they still have time to do so. The ticking clock is Corey's Chinese father. He and Dad have, for much of their life as father and son, been estranged. Corey decides to not only change this state of affairs, but to document it on film.

His Dad is the legendary Frank Pang Lee, a great master of the martial arts who not only runs his own gym in Alberta, but was the personal trainer to the equally legendary Billy Chow, the reigning world kickboxing champion through much of the 80s and a stalwart actor in over 50 martial arts pictures (having co-starred with the likes of Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Jet Li, Jacky Wu and among many others, Donnie Yen). Frank's world famous self-designed White Crane technique is also the stuff of legend.

Speaking of legends, Frank is 70 years old. I can't actually believe he's 70. This guy is in stunning physical condition and to see him in action is utterly mind-blowing. Corey in contrast, is buff enough, but hasn't practiced martial arts for over twenty years. He decides the best way to get to know his father and reclaim his Chinese heritage is to train with Dad.

The training sequences are absolutely brutal - not in a nasty violent way, but in the visual/aural combination of punishing, almost obsessive physical exertion with the naturalistic sounds of the gym itself. And they are gorgeously shot and cut. (Someone give this director and his team an action picture to make.)

Through the film, we witness Corey getting into better shape and his kung fu seems to be progressing nicely during the weeks of training. What's not quite happening is the father-son thing he's been hoping for. This only starts to happen once the two of them take a trip to Hong Kong together. This leads to a scene in the film's final third which, in a drama, could have been machine tooled to pretty decent effect, but because this is a documentary, it takes on an added power. Suffice it to say that this aforementioned scene is tremendously moving. (I spewed more than a few geysers of liquid salt from my tear-ducts.)

Between training sessions and a glorious tournament sequence in Frank's gym, we get dollops of Frank's own story - his early years as a gang thug in China, the threat of communism and his eventual escape to Canada. Once in the New World, Frank's fighting prowess comes in mighty handy when he works a few local Edmonton dives as a waiter/bouncer. His exploits at tossing innumerable tough customers reach far and wide and soon, tough guys from all over Western Canada and the far north make their way to Edmonton to try their luck at NOT being turfed by Frank. It's like Frank became the gunfighter with a reputation that always needed to be challenged by young turks who thought they were tougher.

Ah, Alberta! Lotsa beef, lotsa horses and plenty of rough customers straight out of a Randolph Scott western (and in this case, cross-pollinated with some chop-socky).

Many of the early years of Frank's life are rendered via some very evocative animations (still drawings - almost like anime sketches with a few simple moves). These are deftly integrated into the film and even subtly cut into live action moments when necessary.

For the most part, this is a truly compelling TV doc, but the two things that, for me, keep it from crossing into the scope of a "theatrical" experience is that some of the narration is far-too on the nose (especially in the early going) and secondly, that the movie delivers on the emotional arc of the father-son story, but lacks a good visceral punch. I was expecting, but never got, a final match between Corey and an opponent of equal calibre. The narration sometimes drove me a bit nuts - often delivering stuff we didn't need to know and if we did need to know it, I think it might have been better to just let the audience piece it together all on their lonesome. Much of the voice-over was of the "I think this, I think that, I hope this happens, I hope that happens" variety. It often came over dynamic visuals and I'd have preferred a more cerebral approach to conveying these feelings.

This, however, is not ultimately going to deter anyone from enjoying the film at all. It's a terrific story.

Interestingly, if I were the producer of the film, I'd be doing everything in my power to be selling the dramatic remake rights to a studio. There's a great martial arts movie with some heart here. A few embellishments wouldn't hurt, mind you - like a big match at the end of the movie, or better yet, add an underworld subplot requiring father and son to kick some gangster butt together. Or better yet, just try to make the movie without a studio. Get Chow Yun Fat to play Frank and concoct a good villain role and cast Jackie Chan against type in it. Toss Tony Jaa into the mix as Corey. And hey, set the damn thing in Edmonton. There's plenty of Ukrainians there. Toss some Uke mob action into the mix. George Dzundza would be a fantastic Uke mob boss.

Yeah, I know - that's a different movie, and kind of cheesy, but crazier things have happened in this gloriously nutty business.

"Legend of a Warrior" is playing theatrically in Toronto on two screens - the Projection Booth East and the newly launched Projection Booth Metro. For information of showtimes, ticket information and theatre location, please visit the Projection Booth website HERE.

FAT KID RULES THE WORLD - Review By Greg Klymkiw - This funny, joyous and moving new comedy directed by Matthew Lillard focusing on teen obesity continues its run at Toronto's Coolest independent theatre, The Projection Booth

Fat Kid Rules The World (2012) dir. Matthew Lillard

***1/2

Starring: Jacob Wysocki, Matt O'Leary, Billy Campbell, Dylan Arnold

Review By Greg Klymkiw
Upon seeing Fat Kid Rules The World, Matthew Lillard's lovely film from the fine screenplay by Michael M.B. Galvin and Peter Speakman, I was completely gobsmacked by how honest and real its portrait of teen obesity was. On every level, the film indelibly captures both the bittersweet and dark humour associated with the pain and horror of what it's like to be a fat kid. Most importantly, it tells an original, inspiring and genuine tale of how a fat kid not only gains the acceptance of his peers, but their respect for his inner qualities beneath the mounds of lard and flesh.


That the best independent American film of the past year also touches upon themes of friendship, loyalty and the importance of family is a mega-bonus.

That the film offers punk rock as a creative outlet for the main character to develop a greater sense of self-worth is several extra scoops of hot fudge marshmallow sauce on the cinematic ice cream sundae that is Fat Kid Rules The World.

Oh, and a few cheeseburgers, of course.

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE

"Fat Kid Rules The World" continues its theatrical run at Toronto's coolest indie movie house The Projection Booth on Gerrard Street East, just south of India Town. For information and showtimes, visit the Projection Booth website HERE. MISS THIS AT YOUR PERIL.

FAT KID RULES THE WORLD - Review By Greg Klymkiw - This funny, joyous and moving new comedy directed by Matthew Lillard focusing on teen obesity continues its run at Toronto's Coolest independent theatre, The Projection Booth

Fat Kid Rules The World (2012) dir. Matthew Lillard

***1/2

Starring: Jacob Wysocki, Matt O'Leary, Billy Campbell, Dylan Arnold

Review By Greg Klymkiw

In America, 9 million children are obese. In Canada, one in four children are obese.

The vast majority of these North American children will remain obese and continue to make significant exponential weight gains into adolescence. The majority of these kids will carry extra poundage and make even more significant weight gains as adults.

Obesity costs the health care systems in North America over $100 billion dollars annually. It is a horrible disease that leads to a myriad of ailments, conditions and death. Maybe worst of all is the living death that comes from an utter lack of self-esteem - especially in adolescents.

I know.

Before the age of eight, I was rail-thin and active. In spite of my athletic prowess, I hated physical activity because it always seemed to get in the way of the thing I loved more than anything - movies.

I also discovered cheeseburgers.

I can remember the turning point as if it were yesterday. At age seven, during a sweltering July, my Mom picked up my little sister and I from a swimming lesson at the YMCA in north-end Winnipeg.

Mom took us to a glorious (now-long-gone) greasy spoon at the corner of McGregor and Mountain called the "Hi-Spot" where we pulled cold, wet bottles of Snow White cream soda from the huge red cooler near the counter - the stools populated by phlegm-hacking old Ukrainian men reading Racing Forms and smoking cigarettes. Transit Tom, as per usual in Winnipeg, was late.

Nothing like waiting at a bus stop populated by stunted, babushka-clad old ladies clutching shopping bags whilst we sucked back nice carbonated refreshers to greet the hot prairie sun hanging in the ocean-blue cloudless sky.

Tacked to the wood-paneled walls of the "Hi-Spot" was a huge colour poster of a hamburger delectably topped with melted orange-coloured cheese. I'd had hamburgers before, but this was something altogether new to my eyes and I longed to introduce it to my burgeoning palate.

I remember my mother refusing my request for this tempting comestible on the grounds that the restaurant itself was "unsanitary". She promised, however, to cook one up at home. When it happened a day or so later, I was hooked. In fact, my first cheeseburger was actually a patty of ground beef topped with globs of Kraft Cheese Whiz.

Later that year, McDonald's finally made its way to north-end Winnipeg. My best friend Ricky Klein and his family were headed there. They kindly invited me along. The parking lot was double and triple parked so Mr. Klein deposited his station wagon down the block and we made our pilgrimage to the Golden Arches - trudging like Scott of the Antarctic through deep snow and bitter prairie cold. Our goal was surely as precious to us as the South Pole had been for Scott.

The restaurant was full of eager Ukrainian and Jewish families from the neighbourhood, squeezed together in mutual sardine-like anticipation. I couldn't see anything at the front counter, just a sea of parka-adorned bodies - but when the family before us eventually squeezed their way out, it was not unlike the parting of the Red Sea (or, take your pick, like the clouds at the Pearly Gates as Jesus Christ beckoned us to enter).

"What'll you have?" asked Mr. Klein.

"A cheesburger!" I blurted immediately.

"No!" cautioned Ricky. "Get a Bic Mac! That's what I'm having."

So, two-all-beef-patties-special-sauce-lettuce-cheese-pickles-onions-on-a-sesame-seed-bun later, I was well on my way to corpulence. Inactivity and cheeseburgers (along with a rapidly developing taste for Old Dutch potato chips, kishka, garlic sausage and varenyky smothered in butter and bacon fat) led to becoming "pleasantly plump", "husky", "porcine" and eventually, "circus freak".

Over a period of thirty-plus-years, I did lose thousands upon thousands of pounds.

I've been fat, lean and everything in between. At present, with the invaluable assistance of bariatric surgery I've melted off 300 pounds in 3 years and have a mere 100 to go. Never has a lifestyle change been more productive and pain-free.

Still, fat pigs - no matter how thin and healthy they get - always think of themselves as fat pigs. The psychological effects of obesity are overwhelming.

For kids, it's even worse.

Upon seeing Fat Kid Rules The World, Matthew Lillard's lovely film from the fine screenplay by Michael M.B. Galvin and Peter Speakman, I was completely gobsmacked by how honest and real its portrait of teen obesity was. On every level, the film indelibly captures both the bittersweet and dark humour associated with the pain and horror of what it's like to be a fat kid. Most importantly, it tells an inspiring and genuinely realistic story of how a fat kid not only gains the acceptance of peers, but to respect the inner qualities beneath the mounds of lard and flesh.

That the film also touches upon themes of friendship, loyalty and the importance of family is a mega-bonus.

That the film offers punk rock as a creative outlet for the main character to develop a greater sense of self-worth is several extra scoops of hot fudge marshmallow sauce on the cinematic ice cream sundae that is Fat Kid Rules The World.

Oh, and a few cheeseburgers, of course.

Troy (Jacob Wysocki) is a poker-faced fat kid with no friends - save for those he knows via cyber-world avatars as he plays endless hours of online shooter games. His single Dad (Billy Campbell) is an ex-Marine who values athletic prowess and lavishes most of his attention upon Troy's younger brother Dayle (Dylan Arnold).

The kid's not really asking for much out of life, but life keeps tossing wads of shit in his face. Troy pines to attend the prom with the prettiest girl in school. His gym teacher finds every excuse under the sun to inflict physical activity/torture upon him. He sweats. He shuffles. He wheezes. He's picked on. He's laughed at. He's the target of every derisive prejudicial assumption both kids and adults have about obesity. He imagines, finally, a better world for all concerned - including himself - if he commits suicide.

Alas, Troy can't even kill himself properly. Stepping in front of a bus, he's rescued by Marcus (Matt O'Leary), a charming, inveterate bad boy who's been suspended from the same school our portly protagonist attends. Friendship is not too far behind - especially since Marcus suggests Troy be the drummer in his new punk band. Troy, however, doesn't know how to play drums. Marcus laughs this off. It's punk, after all. He also has friends in high places. A local bar owner Marcus knows is a former master drummer and Troy exchanges his janitorial services for lessons.

Conflict ensues when Troy gets really good, but Marcus begins to spiral downwards with his own sense of self-worth. Friendship, family and commitment must rule the day, but in life (and even in the movies), nothing is ever an easy-fix.

Fat Kid Rules The World is, without question, one of the most entertaining and heartfelt American films I've seen in quite some time. Lillard's direction is firm and he really has a knack for composing and capturing the film's mix of deadpan and dark comedy, yet balancing this with the movie's heavy-hitting combination of sentiment and humanity. Lillard also inspires a perfect cast - especially the brilliant Jacob Wysocki (Terri) as Troy. Wysocki's got a great hangdog mug, terrific comic timing and a formidable sense of restraint.

Galvin and Speakman's fabulous writing is never given short-shrift by Lillard. His stylistic flourishes are always subtle and as such, allows the depth of character and superb dialogue to breath and pulsate with life. The various turns in the story offer a great deal of surprise and as I alluded to earlier, none of the challenges come without a fight - we're always involved and transfixed with the journey of Troy and those around him.

And though it soon becomes clear that the film is building to a triumphant finish, the screenplay peppers the action with numerous life-like details that always root us in reality - the reality of acceptance and most of all, the reality that life is never perfect, but that we grasp and hold on to those things that best reflect the infinite joy and wonder of the world.

Importantly, the film MUST be seen by as many people as possible - teens, adults and educators. Obesity - especially in kids - is a horrific disease, yet it's so often looked upon by the majority of the population as some sort of weakness in the individuals afflicted with it. Save perhaps for alcoholism, obesity is the only medical condition to have not benefitted by the changing attitudes inspired by the non-facist aspects of political correctness.

Those afflicted with obesity require compassion, understanding, love, friendship and a helping hand.

Not prejudice.

Here's hoping Fat Kid Rules The World is a hit.

A real hit!

It not only deserves it, but so too do movie audiences of all ages and tastes.

The picture is first-rate entertainment, but it is endowed with a special gift - one that could actually change the world. Movies like that don't come along everyday, so don't miss this one.

"Fat Kid Rules The World" continues its theatrical run at Toronto's coolest indie movie house The Projection Booth on Gerrard Street East, just south of India Town. For information and showtimes, visit the Projection Booth website HERE. MISS THIS AT YOUR PERIL.

"Fat Kid Rules The World" had its Canadian premiere at the inaugural edition of the TIFF Next Wave film festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox.