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nysocboy · 6 months

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The Foot Fist Way: Danny McBride's usual character without the hints of humanity

The Foot Fist Way (2006) is the first collaboration between Danny McBride and Jody Hill that would extend through Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals, and The Righteous Gemstones.

The version on MAX is grainy, like a home movie, with amaterish direction (give the guy a break -- he was just learning), but that adds to its charm -- if you can call a movie involving constant cussing and beating up kids charming. We can see the beginning of the character that Danny McBride plays regularly -- foul-mouthed, bragging, bullying, grandiose -- but without the touches of humanity that make Neal Gamby and Jesse Gemstone likeable. But it is fascinating to see the origin of the character, as well as a lot of jokes and situations that were recycled on The Righteous Gemstones.

It is based upon Hill's experiences as a taekwando instructor ("foot fist way" is a literal translation of Tae Kwan Do), and there are a lot of set pieces depicting the funny things that happen in classes and competitions. The story commences about halfway through the movie: taewando instructor Fred and his very intense high school buddy Mike (Jody Hill) take two of the students, teenage Henry and ten-year old Julio (Carlos Lopez IV, Spencer Moreno) on a road trip: "you guys are gonna see things that you've never seen before...I'm going to do a lot of bad things, and you guys aren't going to stop me. You ever hae sex?"

They actually go to a martial arts expo to meet Fred's idol, Chuck "The Truck" Watson (Ben Best), who invites them to a sex-and-drugs party similar to Jesse's in Season 1 of The Rightous Gemstones, except that the guests insult them ("fag," "pussy," "ugly fucking jerk"), and only the little boy gets any action. (Don't get upset -- everyone just comments on how handsome he is, and fondles his head.)

Fred invites Chuck Watson to visit, and spend the night. To his surprise, Chuck has sex with his wife. Granted, she has been characterized in every scene as into doing it with every guy she sees, but Fred is still incensed, and insists on a fight. Chuck pulverizes him.

But the ending is positive: both of the kids win awards in the big taekwando competititon, and Fred introduces a new student oath: all about using taekwando honorably and making the world a better place

Sadly, Carlos Lopez IV, who became a stuntman, died in 2014. He fell off a hotel balcony in Lisbon. Some media reports suggested that he was trying out a new stunt, but it was most likely an accidental death.

Ben Best died in 2021, a day before his 47th birthday. Kind of a depressing way to end a movie review. At least Spencer Moreno may have grown up to be the buffed boxer in the top photo.

Beefcake: Ben Best takes his shirt off.

Gay Characters: None.

Gay Subtext: Maybe between Fred and Henry, who becomes his protege.

Homophobia: Some "fags" and "cocksuckers," but not a lot.

My Grade: If you're a Danny McBride fan, B. If not, D.

#the righteous gemstones #Foot Fist Way #Danny McBride #Jody Hill #martial arts #Ben Best #Carlos Lopez IV #Spencer Moreno #homophobia

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beautifulfaaces · 3 years

Photo

John Goodman

Facts

June 20, 1952

American actor

He is of English, German, and Welsh ancestry

Filmography

Eli [The Righteous Gemstones: 2019-2021]

Michael [Black Earth Rising: 2018]

Dan [Roseanne: 1988-2018]

Dave [Once Upon a Time in Venice: 2017]

Gil [Alpha House: 2013-2014]

Creighton [Treme: 2010-2011]

Tony [Dirty Deeds: 2002]

Walter [The Big Lebowski: 1998]

Louis [True Stories: 1986]

Herbert [Eddie Macon's Run: 1983]

Appearance

brunette

hazel eyes

1.88m

Roleplay

playable: young adult, adult

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