David Carradine - 72 - remebered

To hear of the death of anyone that you know is always a tragedy. There is always sadness in knowing someone you saw will never be seen again. When that person is an entertainer, there is still that same feeling even though we don’t truly know that person. Such is the case with David Carradine.



David Carradine, born John Arthur Carradine, was 72 years old. That is a full life for anyone. Yet in watching him in movies, commercials and hearing his voice in various media, you just thought he was far younger. He was someone that you would never have thought had died, let alone killed himself.

In fact I have grave reservations about the circumstances of his death. It seems incredibly odd to me that a 72 year old man, that was seemingly in good health, had success in his profession, and was well-respected, would suddenly kill himself. Even is his fame and success are not factored in, it is rare to hear of someone of that age committing suicide while still in good health. Even more rare when the person in question is actively involved in their job at the time. hopefully there will be a real and informative investigation by the Thai police, but I doubt it.

But putting aside my doubts of the declared suicide, David Carridine was quite an actor. He was in over 100 films, had multiple television commercial credits, and was even involved with kids cartoons and television programs.

The range of work includes popular favorites like: Charmed, Danny Phantom, Death Race 2000 (which was remade starring Jason Statham), King of the Hill, Cannonball, Kung Fu, Kill Bill, Alias, Crank: High Voltage, and my favorite of his work – Circle of Iron.

In total David Carridine was in 100 films over 45 years. He was nominated for 4 Golden Globes, and an Emmy throughout his career, winning the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor. He has numerous memorable characters and leading roles. He normally portrayed an image of calm thoughtful action – even for his bad guy roles.

And I should mention his passion for the martial arts. Inspired by his very popular 1970’s television show Kung Fu, Carradine had become an avid proponent of martial arts. He became accomplished in Tai chi and Qi Gong.

Overall the man was diversified and unique. He has a fan base from children today going back to the 70’s. He was an entertainer who was more concerned about working than personal fame. And his loss is shocking both in the manner and the fact it was so unexpected.

My condolences to the Carradine family, and friends.

Movies to see before you die

There is nothing quite like a list of something to get the blood boiling. When that list happens to be of movies, and is called the 100 movies to see before you die, well you can imagine I was like a moth to a flame.

This Yahoo list is pretty good though. In fact I have seen 74 out of the full 100. When it comes to lists of great movies, I normally have far more issue with some of the choices. But this list is very much on the mark.

But they did get a few wrong.

Like Princess Monoke. A very good anime film. But not something you must see before death. I'd substitute that with Akira or Ghost in the Shell. Both are dazzling in the story and art. Far more compelling anime.

They touched on martial arts films, including Bruce Lee's Enter The Dragon. A true classic. But not the only style of martial arts film worthy of viewing. For a story that is completely different yet deep in thought and martial arts try Circle of Iron as an addition to your top 100 list.

I have to be excited about this list as they included one of my favorite films, and one that most people never heard of. M. That is a classic and groundbreaking. It may be old and sub-titled, but it is powerful cinema and that's what matters.

The list leaves out The Princess Bride, which I think is great on a comedic and swashbuckling level. And they did not include a universal classic The Adventures of Robin Hood. How can they not have Errol Flynn's most renown role.

Still the list does have Blazing Saddles and Do The Right Thing. Something I'm glad to see as films starring Black actors or directors normally seem to not exist in these kinds of lists.

Though they ignored Malcolm X, by Spike Lee. There is a reason why this was Denzel Washington's first Oscar nominated role (which he was robbed of), and why the movie itself was robbed of an Oscar Award. Once you see it I think you will agree.

I like that the list includes: the original 12 Angry Men, Alien, Apocalypes Now, Blade Runner, Bridge on the River Kwai, Die Hard, Dr. Strangelove, The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, the original King Kong (one of the first films I ever saw and remember to this day), Groundhog Day, It's a Wonderful Life, Lawrence of Arabia, M.A.S.H. (yes it was a movie long before it was a television show), Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Animal House, Nosferatu (second film I recall ever seeing), Schindler's List, Seven Samurai, Some Like It Hot, Star Wars (the first of the series in 1977), To Kill A Mockingbird, and Usual Suspects. I find them all to be essential films that everyone should see at least once.

Also included in that list of core movies (besides the others I mentioned above) that everyone should see is Being There. A Peter Sellers film unlike anything he did before it. This is comedy of a cerebral nature yet enjoyable just to watch and eat popcorn with.

Overall this list is very good. One of the better lists to come out of Yahoo. But it isn't perfect. At least to me. And I think if you take the time to compare the movies I would add to the list, you'll see how much better it becomes in total.