Celebrities studying martial arts?

[IronFist]

I did not know this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3yjN...layer_embedded

[wetwonder]

Clint Eastwood is a bb in six-shooters and 44 magnums.

[Raipizo]

i just rofled.

[BoulderDawg]

Just saw an interview with Bob Barker...still looking good and going strong at 84.

He mentioned that trained in Karate with Chuck Norris for eight years.

[GeneChing]

There's a vid on the other end of this link if you're really that interested...

Taylor Lautner: from child martial arts star to Twilight and New Moon
June 18, 9:08 AM

The incredibly popular Twilight movie and upcoming sequel New Moon has introduced the talented 17-year-old Taylor Lautner to the movie entertainment world. What many people may not know is that before he became a TV and movie star, Taylor was a world-class martial artist who held world competition titles by the age of 11. Taylor Lautner's life path is evidence that a good martial arts education can lead to success and great life adventures. Check out this video montage of Taylor's life journey by Clevver TV.

[Shaolinlueb]

There's a vid on the other end of this link if you're really that interested...

is extreme martial arts really martial arts? or is it a bunch of ugly flipping and flooping all over a rug with a couple of bad kicks and punches thrown in gene?

note i did nto watch the full clip. as soon as i saw him in XMA gi i clicked off of it.

[GeneChing]

...and this only counts if Geary wins...

Omaha martial-arts instructor wants to be governor
Associated Press - June 23, 2009 7:05 AM ET

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha martial-arts instructor and business owner says he's running for governor of Nebraska.

Christopher Geary says he wants to play a part in shaping the state's future.

The 38-year-old Republican says that as a small-business owner, he knows "what it is like to make ends meet in a stressful economy."

Geary, a former Marine enlisted man, finished fourth in the 2008 primary election for Legislative District 3.

During that race, Geary said old vandalism warrants, protection orders and a bankruptcy listing gambling debts were behind him. He said people sometimes do dumb things in their 20s.

On the Net:
Geary campaign site: http://www.christophergeary2010.com/

[GeneChing]

She should do a video.

Angelina Jolie: 'I love martial arts'
June 22, 2:26 PM

Oscar winner Angelina Jolie stays in top shape by being active. And the 34-year-old stunner encourages her six young children to be active as well.

"I love martial arts," Angelina told OK! "They are ideal for children because they teach them discipline and perseverance. My son [Maddox, 7] is already starting to go to class."

Jolie, who bounced back into peak condition following the birth of twins Knox and Vivienne in July 2008, underwent grueling martial arts training for her blockbuster action thrillers, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and its sequel, Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life (2003).

Since then, Angelina—widely considered one of the most beautiful women in the world—has embraced a fit and healthy lifestyle. Physical exercise is ideal, it's much better than sitting in front of the TV or the computer screen, she says.

So when she does sit down to see a movie, what does Angie like to watch? "I like all of Bruce Lee's films; he was the best," she notes. "I also like Jackie Chan a lot—my kids are Jackie Chan fans."

The super-svelte Angelina also likes to use her son's video games to work out. Angelina discovered the program Let’s Pilates! when Maddox was showing his siblings how to use the Nintendo Wii console. Once Angie figured out how to use the program, she was hooked.

Meanwhile, Jolie has been on location in New York City and in Washington, D.C. since February, shooting scenes for the espionage thriller Salt, in which she plays Evelyn A. Salt, a rogue CIA agent who tries to clear her name after being accused of being a Russian sleeper spy.

When not filming, Jolie spends time with her partner Brad Pitt, 45, and their six kids and promotes humanitarian causes. On June 19, Angelina made international headlines when she and Brad donated $1 million to a U.N. refugee agency to help Pakistanis displaced by fighting between troops and Taliban militants. Over the past decade, Jolie has donated millions of dollars to charity and has traveled extensively on humanitarian missions as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.

Meanwhile, the Oscar winner has reportedly landed another film franchise, this time playing Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a crime-solving medical examiner in novelist Patricia Cornwell's bestselling book series.

In the novels, Kay Scarpetta is a beautiful but tough-as-nails forensic examiner with a messy love life and a penchant for opera and Italian cooking. There are 16 Scarpetta novels, clearing the way for a possible mega-franchise like the Jason Bourne spy series which made a global box-office sensation of star Matt Damon, 38.

Angelina has herself enjoyed incredible box office success in action movies such as the Lara Croft films (2001 & 2003), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) and Wanted (2008). Combined, Jolie's movies have grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. If everything works out, Scarpetta will be Angelina's second franchise, after the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider series.

Salt opens in 2010.

[BoulderDawg]

Good for her. I'd much rather see kids involved in MA then an elitist sport such as soccer.....here lately even little league baseball, with the fee to play, fancy uniforms and fields and parent camping out in a line to get their kids a spot in the league, seems to turn it's nose up in the air.

I think Angelina would probably be a lot of fun to know however I take issue with "the most beautiful woman in the world".

[GeneChing]

There are lots of vidlinks if you follow the link.

Celebrity Stars using Martial-Arts/Self-Defense to “Market their Fame” Part 1
July 28, 5:26 PM

The Media, Television, and Hollywood has been a big market for sports, journalism, and of course Martial-Arts, or in some cases MMA or WWE???

Since the fame of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, to Jacky Chan, Jet Li, and to more known celebrities in TV hit shows. Such as Kristin Kreuk in SmallVille and Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, have in someway used gymnastics in Martial-Art films and other athletic talents in films and in Television.

Many celebrities have learned through professional choreographers and from other Martial-Artist such as Christian Bale: Bat Man, Tobey Maguire: Spider Man, Ben Affleck: Dare Devil, Milla Jovovich: Resident Evil, Hale Berry: Cat Woman, Jennifer Garner: Elektra, and just recent mentioned Kristin Kreuk: Street Fighter. They are all actors have made and marketed their fame by learning self-defense and martial arts in their acting to promote their films. It brings a flavor and authenticity to the audience to want to see something quick and amazing that all children aspire to do or to become some day.

Martial-Arts have been a big influence on all people as well as actors and in entertainment media. Though the concept of the Martial-Arts has been about self-defense, it has also been a wide way of utilizing the knowledge in tournament competition for many people to be able to maybe become movie stars.

Organizations such as XMA or known as Extreme Martial Arts, has been a way for many Marti-Art professionals to market their talent and skills, where perhaps they can be recognized by movie producers and directors, to find many talented people to be in the movies and star in big films.

Through high school athletes become aspired by the media when watching sport channels on the type of events they love and what they wish to become famous and be a future celebrity. For many, has been high school wrestlers, pre-dominantly male athletes, with their knowledge in grappling, they desire to pursue in (MMA) Mixed Martial Arts, to maybe make thousand if not millions of dollars in the spectator sport.

But many come in to the MMA without any real knowledge of the Martial-Arts other than basic boxing skills picked up in their exposure to MMA. Few MMA fighters come from (WWE) World Wrestling Entertainment to b become the next MMA fighter or vice versa to grow their popularity. Few are well known, but one most well recognized Ken Shamrock, brother of Frank Shamrock, who was a well rounded Martial-Artist and for his Jiu Jitsu skills to join WWE in the mid-late 1990’s to create his popularity to the public through media.

Martial-Arts have become such an influence on people in many different ways. The majority of the group, is really for health and fitness, others for self-defense reasons, or to create self esteem in children and become better people. To those coming out of high school and wish to continue in wrestling, while not knowing what to do with their lives or what career to pursue, there is a growing number to become rich and famous in the Martial-Arts, to never having to get a college education for such as those going or pursuing into the MMA or branch out of WWE. But the Martial-Arts has been a great solution to make great movies and for actors to create a popularity for their fame in movies and films.

[GeneChing]

Who the heck is Peter Andre?!?

Peter Andre comes to Crawley to learn kung fu
Thursday, August 13, 2009, 11:00

KUNG-FU experts in Crawley are helping pop star Peter Andre to let off some steam following his marriage heartbreak.

Andre, 36, is taking time out from promoting his new single to enjoy lessons in the ancient martial art Wing Chun.

The News understands the Mysterious Girl singer was spotted emerging from the Premier Kung Fu School, in Spindle Way, Three Bridges, last week.

The school confirmed Andre had paid them a visit but owner Paul Hawkes said he could not comment further due to client confidentially.

The news comes amid reports that Andre's estranged wife, Katie Price, is currently dating a professional cage fighter.

Wing Chun, which is a Chinese martial art achieved by body structure, balance and relaxation, was invented by a Buddhist nun.

Made famous by legendary actor and martial artist Bruce Lee, who began training at the age of 13, the art specialises in close-range combat and is practiced in 64 countries.

The news that Andre, who is now living in Hove, has taken up kung-fu has prompted other Crawley martial arts centres to offer their services.

Dave Morgan, who runs the New Hope Aikido Club, in Bewbush, said: "I am pleased to hear that Peter Andre is taking up martial arts.

"He would be welcome at our club, but he wouldn't receive any special treatment as we treat everyone exactly the same."

Dave, who is a Sandan (a third degree black belt) has offered Andre some friendly advice in his quest to become a kung-fu fighting master.

He added: "Listen carefully to your Sensei (teacher) and walk with humility."

Despite his marriage break-up to Katie Price aka Jordan in May and reports of a bitter divorce battle ahead, Peter is guaranteed to be on cloud nine by the time the week is out.

According to midweek sales his comeback single, Behind Closed Doors, is set to top the charts this weekend.

Andre's spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

[GeneChing]

We need more spokepeople like Milla.

Resident Evil star makes comeback
Page last updated at 10:44 BST, Friday, 14 August 2009
By Natalie Jamieson Newsbeat entertainment reporter

You might know Milla Jovovich best for her part in the Resident Evil movies, but the Hollywood actress is keen to show her 'different' side. Her latest film is called A Perfect Getaway, a thriller about newlywed hikers being found dead on an island near Hawaii. She talks about the movie, what life's like after having her baby and what we can expect from the next Resident Evil.

Your surname is difficult to pronounce, isn't it?

Yes, there's many times where even I, at certain points in the evening, after a few drinks, can't pronounce my own surname, so it's understandable.

What attracts you to roles? Do you get a lot of Resident Evil type stuff thrown your way?

I'm very lucky to have the Resident Evil franchise. It's definitely something very special for an actor to have in Hollywood, steady work every few years. It's like you never know when the next job is coming in!

Definitely outside the Resident Evil franchise I like to play parts that are different, that give the audience a chance to see a different side of myself, that's really important to me.

There are lots of jumpy moments in the film. How good are you at filming those?
Milla Jovovich A Perfect Getaway was filmed in Puerto Rico but is set in Hawaii

When you're filming it you know it's going to happen a lot of the time but I'm so happy to hear people are jumping and they're really reacting well to it because we had such a great time filming it and it was really a lot of fun.

It's not just a movie based on action, or based on gross, bloody murder. It's definitely not a horror film, I would call it a psychological thriller. It's a very smart film, and it's got a lot of great jumps, but I think the jumps are based on the fact you really get involved with the script and the characters.

How was it returning to work so soon after having a baby?

Part of the reason that I was able to return to work, being a mum of four months at that point, was because it wasn't an action film. I wasn't expected to train. It was nice to just play myself for most of the movie, to just play a nice girl on her honeymoon. Being able to take my baby with me to a beautiful exotic location and take her swimming in the ocean every day.

She's not even two yet but I read you wanted to get her training in martial arts as soon as you can. Is that right?

Oh yeah definitely. I think it's one of the most important things for women to do martial arts. I think it's fun, it's exciting, it's just a great experience because I hate going to the gym.

To be able to do martial arts, to have focus, to have something you learn and you practice and you're actually able to do it well. It gives you this great sense of confidence. The gym doesn't really cut it because it's just kind of boring.

There are some killer fight scenes in the movie. Was it hard to lose your post pregnancy weight?

At the time I filmed the movie I definitely was a lot bigger than I am now. I thought it was OK for this movie not to have to lose weight because I wanted to be much more of a normal nice girl.

I didn't need to be in superhero form so I actually felt like it was better for the character that I wasn't in crazy-perfect shape that I would be in for a Resident Evil film.

What stage is the next Resident Evil film at?

We start filming in September. It's ready to go.

How's the script?

Amazing. It's going to be so killer. It's the best one yet and we're shooting in 3D so it's going to be really rad.

Milla Jovovich was talking to Newsbeat entertainment reporter Natalie Jamieson

[GeneChing]

Would I put Hannah Montana on our cover? Hmmm...

Hannah Montana & the real Taichi girls
August 26, 8:30 PMSt. Louis Tai Chi
Examiner Violet Li

Miley Cyrus is an idol for millions of young girls in the U.S. and abroad. She acts as Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus in the TV Show Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel. She has played the lead role in two movies. She plays several musical instruments and sings. Some of her albums have even won awards. One of her songs talks about an unusual, not so typical girl or a Rock Star who thinks differently than others and does things her own way. The Rock Star snowboards, fixes flat tires, and even practices Taichi (Tai Chi, Taiji). I don’t know if Hannah Montana practices Taichi in the show or Miley Cyrus practices Taichi in real life, but here are the stories of the real Taichi girls in St. Louis.

Connie (14, attending Parkway West High School), Jie-Jie (17, attending John Burroughs), and Clare (13, attending Parkway Central Middle School) are all local teens that attend the St. Louis Chinese Language School every Sunday afternoon. Aside from their two language classes, they have the option to enroll in an extra-curricular activity. They all select Taichi. Connie and Clare watched the Hannah Montana show before. They remember the Rock Star song, and recall the lyrics of practicing Taichi, but refute the idea that there is any influence of the song on their decision to study Taichi.

Connie and Jie-Jie have learned Taichi over three years while Clare has been trainingfor a year. Connie describes herself as a tomboy and Taichi prefers it to activities like folk dancing. She truly enjoys learning and practicing Taichi. A couple summers ago, she went to China by herself and learned from a Taichi master for several weeks. Clare started with hard style Kung Fu for a year and then switched to Taichi.

Jie Jie, Connie and Clare are cheerful, active girls, involved with many school activities. . Connie admits that her friends were skeptical at first, but changed their opinion toward her Taichi practice once they saw her perform. Clare mentions that her friends saw her perform Taichi in this year’s Chinese Culture Day at the Missouri Botanical Gardens and thought it was really cool.

Connie claims that practicing Taichi makes her stronger and increases her energy level. Clare recognizes that Taichi enhances balance. According to Jean Chen, Jie Jie’s mom, Jie Jie’s school work is very demanding, especially because she’s concentrating on preparing for college. Jie Jie really appreciates Taichi because it improves her health and also makes her calm.

Clare hangs out with guys more than girls but has not currently dating anyone. Connie has a boyfriend and even though she is no longer listening to Hannah Montana,her dating attitude actually is similar to the girl in Rock Star who proclaims not wait around for boys.

[doug maverick]

you'd sell a ton of issues, but you should check the sincerity of it, like does she seriously practice taichi or does she just wave her arms around like the hippies do in the parks....that would make the difference.we all know how hard it is for print magazine, i think we could forgive kfm for a quick cop out.lol

[sanjuro_ronin]

If you could get Hillary Duff to pose in some sexy TCMA clothes, now that would be something !!
Chi building for sure !!