I’M ON THE COVER OF PARACINEMA #20!

Well, that’s not me, obviously.  That’s good old Charles Bronson.  But I wrote the cover story.  “The Later Years Of The American Action Hero.” That’s me.

Paracinema is a brilliant movie magazine which covers a lot of the cool stuff you won’t often see in, say, Entertainment Weekly.  You can tell from some of the other stories mentioned on that cover there (Bruce Lee, Sam Raimi, etc.).

My article is about the kind of movies that action stars make when they get old.  Charles Bronson.  Lee Marvin.  Obviously Clint’s in there.  But I get into the next generation after that too — Arnold, Stallone, those guys.  And then I ponder what’s going to happen when the current crop starts getting some gray whiskers.

I think it’s one of the better things I’ve ever written.  And I’m truly honored to be featured in this great magazine, in the midst of some truly special writers.

Paracinema is carried by many book stores and magazine stands, particularly in the cities.  CLICK HERE for a list of the venues that have it in stock.  If you don’t want to go looking for it, you can order the issue from the Paracinema website:  CLICK HERE.  The magazine costs a very reasonable $7, I think shipping is two dollars extra.  I know in this day and age every dollar counts, so I don’t make the suggestion lightly, but even still, your support would mean a whole lot to me.  If you know me personally, you know I’d do it for you.

Did I mention it’s super-fun?  Satisfaction guaranteed.
As always, you can find me here, in your hearts, wherever truth and justice prevail, or at least on Twitter:  @jonnyabomb

Thanks. Love you all. — JA.

Stone Classics: BERRY GORDY’S THE LAST DRAGON (1985).

R.I.P. Leo O’Brien.  He played “Richie Green” in THE LAST DRAGON, maybe the best character in the movie.  Definitely the one with all the best lines.

I don’t do irony well.  I tend to take the movies I like in the spirit they were intended.  If a movie feels genuine to me, then my affection for it is genuine.  THE LAST DRAGON is a kid’s movie, but one of the few I will still watch from time to time because it’s guaranteed to lift my mood.  If I’m being completely honest, I love this movie way more than I love most conventionally accepted “classic films.”  Given the choice, I’d opt without hesitation to watch this movie over CITIZEN KANE, CASABLANCA, and even THE GODFATHER. There, it’s out.  I said it.

I accept that no one will ever let me call this a good movie, but the rest of the world is going to have to accept my insistence that this is a one-of-a- kind genre occurrence, and for that alone it deserves respect.  There aren’t two like it.  As the story of young Leroy “Bruce Leroy” Green (Taimak) and his mission to defend popular VJ Laura Charles (Vanity) against evil arcade owner Eddie Arkadian (Chris Murney) and local bully The Shogun Of Harlem (Julius J. Carry III), THE LAST DRAGON stands alone in its genre — it’s the first, last, and only Motown-kung fu-action-romantic-comedy musical.  There’s so much genuine goodness about THE LAST DRAGON.  It encourages the mild-mannered to stand up for themselves.  It teaches kids about Eastern philosophy.  It teaches kids about Bruce Lee.  It gave early-career employment to legendary character-actors Mike Starr, Chazz Palminteri, and William H. Macy.  It has music from Willie Hutch, Stevie Wonder, and Vanity.  It has a kid (Leo O’Brien) who’s been tied up by bad guys escaping capture by break-dancing out of the ropes.

This movie is a positive force for the universe.  I watch it and I smile.  It’s one of my few nostalgic indulgences – but it’s still fun to watch as an adult.  I fear the potential remake, despite the involvement of Sam Jackson and the RZA and despite the personal assurance I’ve received from Taimak himself (!).  THE LAST DRAGON was lightning in a bottle, and let’s face it, it’s not actually possible to catch lightning in a bottle… unless a genuine miracle is involved.

This post originally appeared on Rupert Pupkin Speaks.  Give ’em a visit!

Follow Taimak on Twitter:  @iamtaimak