Fu for Thought

And here we are. 151 episodes in and we're putting the Fu for Thought podcast to bed. This has been my baby for 6 years now, and it's been an absolutely joy to watch it grow. To those listeners that have come along for the ride, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We're just three idiots talking nonsense in Cyrus' living room. The fact you gave us time and energy has meant the world to us. We...

In this episode we tackle the first sequel in the Rurouni Kenshin series, Kyoto Inferno. And if I do say so myself, we have a great conversation about it. We ask, "Does anything actually happen in this film?", I try to explore its themes and subtext, and we discuss the fantastic action direction and the film's usage of shaky cam. Later, we tackle listener questions ands probably go on far too long...

The gang's all here as we chat about Gareth Evans' long awaited action extravaganza, HAVOC. I talk about my viewing experience and how it relates to graphic novels, we discuss the film's much talked about CGI, we hash out a few of the confusing plot devices and much, much more! Later, we answer some fantastic "Which of you is most like to...?" listener questions and Cyrus finally makes me edit an...

It's the entire crew this week as we dive into Vincent Zhao's battle-heavy God of War. I always thought Cyrus would like this one but does he? We discuss the film's not-so-fleshed out plot, the coolness of Samurai armour, tree spear thingies and Vincent Zhao's badass wife (in the film). Later, we answer listener questions. We talk about crimes we've committed, I bring up a story about how much of...

The man...the legend...the icon...Cyrus, is back! He dives back into the Fu for Thought foray to discuss Lau Kar Leung's comedic classic, DIRTY HO. I've avoided showing this one to Devan for years because I thought the "shenanigans" would annoy her. Well, she's finally seen it. Did she love it? Hate it? On this episode, we dicuss the concept of "covert fights," we wonder "What are the 7 Agonies al...

This episode Devan and I discuss the ultra-violent Korean horror-action film, Project Wolf Hunting! We address the film's level of gore and how it feels different from other films, we bring up Britney Spears and later on we ask, "If you fought your parents, who would win?" Enjoy!

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 ku...

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. Inc...

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...

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 make...

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...

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 n...

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 thi...

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...

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...

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: W...

This week we review ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI and ask, "Is this kind of...sort of...a Bruceploitation film?" We discuss Andy On's comic book-like villain, Cyrus tells us that he was oblivious to the film's color palette and Devan suggests that that's Yuen Cheung-yan's real voice. Later on we answer listener questions where we find our brand new favorite listener/viewer, Devan reveald her absolu...

Put your kids to bed early because this one's for the grown folks! In this episode, Cyrus and I review the legendary CAT III sleaze-fest, SEX AND ZEN. We discuss which part of movie we think Devan would hate the most, criticize sloppy wedding kissers, delve into the ins and out of flute-centric shenanigans and ask, "Did this film really need a Martial Arts Director?" Later we answer listener quest...

This week on the podcast I treat Devan to a shenanigan-less Yuen Woo Ping film with LEGEND OF THE A FIGHTER (1982). You'll be surprised by who likes this one and who's pretty indifferent to it. We discuss the structure of the film and how it defies the norms of the kung fu genre, we question Yasuaki Kurata's character's coughing, I get bamboozled over there being two Eagle Claw styles in the film...

Those Girls with Guns are back! And so is Cyrus! This week we review the action heavy cop thriller, ANGEL TERMINATORS. Devan talks anout enjoying female-centric fight scenes, we all get baffled by how characters are related to one another and I express my chagrin at an under-used Dick Wei. Later we whiz through listener questions as an attempt to keep the episode short and we wrap things up with a...

No Cyrus this week, but Devan and I jump feet first into discussing CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. We recall how we thought the film was more complicated than it is, we gush over the incredible fight choreography and ask, "Is the flashback jarring?" We also take a swing at the film's themes, including heroicism versus villainy, the petulence of Jen and the overall focus on love and romance. Later...

On this weeks episode of the podcast we return to both Shaw Brothers and Shaolin to unravel the murder mystery of SHAOLIN INTRUDERS. We ask Devan whether she's changed her mind on Shaolin films, Cyrus surprises us all and, as always, I gush over what I think is an unheralded classic. With all its weapon fights, does Devan absolutely love this one? Later, I give the other two some solid "Would you...

This week on the podcast we review the utterly bonkers (but highly enjoyable) ROAD HOUSE remake. We ask Devan to rate Conor McGregor's cheeks, discover some Easter Eggs and do our best (or worst) "DALTON!" yells. Later, we answer listener questions and discuss our run ins with bouncers and the oldest/newest films we'd put o our "Top 250 films of all time" list. Enjoy!

This week on the podcast we sit down and try to decipher the utterly confounding plot of No Retreat, No Surrender 3. We question Loren Avedon's "Russia jacket," I gush over the legendary scaffold jump and Devan hands out another one of her legendary nicknames. Later, we answer listener questions and talk about heartbreaking films, newly discovered music and we write the ultimate Romcom. Enjoy!

No Devan this week, unfortunately. But Cyrus and I sit down and discuss the ins and outs of Yuen Woo Ping's modern classic, Yuen Woo Ping's Tiger Cage II. I ask Cyrus, "Do you need a reason to have a fight scene?", Cyrus tslks about the film's hilarious (and offensive) dub track and we both agree that squibs are always better than CGI. Later on we answer listener questions and get into an importan...