Movie Review: Karate Kid II

Karate Kid part II is centered in Okinawa, where Miyagi (Pat Morita) has returned to send off his dying father.  Daniel joins him.  Miyagi finds the environment much different from when he left.  His old rival (in love and karate) has become wealthy, while the villagers have suffered and become poor.  The old rival insists on a fight to the death.  Daniel (Ralph Machio) gains his own enemy and rival in love, Chozen. 
Circumstances are such that Miyagi and his rival resolve their differences, but Chozen is determined to the end, and forces a one on one match with Daniel.  Chozen is posed for victory, when using small drums Miyagi and then the crowd make a rhythm for Daniel, and using the rhythm Daniel is able to block Chozen's attack and counter instead.  He snatches victory from defeat. 

Movie Review: ***^Karate Kid (1984)

Karate Kid (1984)  This movie fascinated me as a young man.  Miyagi (Pat Morita) was so clever in the way he taught karate, “paint the fence” and “wax on wax off.”  And he has a very willing and desperate student in Daniel (Ralph Machio).  All of this training is pointing to a major karate tournament where Daniel is to face down a whole school of students who have been tormenting him for some time.  This team is not very ethical, and are willing to cause permanent injury to get their way.  The final move of the tourney, with Daniel taking the role of the one legged crane after his leg is injured is classic.  This movie still scores for me. 

Disney Movie Review: ****^Mulan

Mulan is a delightful movie.  It tells the story, based on an old Chinese ballad, of a young woman (Ming-Na), though she lacks confidence as a potential bride, takes her father's place when each family is asked to send someone to the war.  The Huns have attacked and every family must supply a soldier.  Mulan has not brothers, so her sickly father is ready to go, until Mulan takes his horse and goes for him.  To impersonate a man, and join the army is against the law in China at the time, punishable by death.  A dragon (Eddie Murphie) is sent to save the family honor. They should not have tried showing Mulan spitting, the saliva hanging from her mouth almost did me in.  There is also a scene bathing in the pond and the guys come to skinny dip.  As they take her for a guy, they are not very modest.  (This is not shown but implied.)  Mulan's reaction, "I never want to see a naked man again in my life."  The Captain (BD Wong), decides to sent Mulan home as being not fit for the army; but accomplishes a feet none of the others could do, and so becomes a part of the new recruits.
They head to the front to join the experienced soldiers, and discover they have all been destroyed.  Their army is the only army to defend China and the emperor from the Huns.  Mulan saves the day using cunning; but in doing so is injured, and her female status is revealed.  She saved the Captain who spares her life. But now she must save China and the emperor (Pay Morita) from the Huns who survived.
Donny Osmond and Lea Salonga sing the songs for the lead characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOG1evML8vs
Donny Osmond "I'll Make a Man Out of You"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fREsDSnT_2A
Lea Salonga singing the longer version of "Reflections"

Movie Review: ****Savannah Smiles (1982)

This is a movie about a seven year old girl who runs away from home by climbing into someone's car, and two convicts on the run whose car it is.  They don't realize it, but they are accused of kidnapping because they want to make sure they get the reward offered for her.  It has the flavor of O'Henry's "The Ransom for Red Chief" but with a few twists.  Our convicts, Alvie and Boots (Mark Miller and Donavan Scott) are bunglers.  Boots breaks Alvie out of prison just before he makes parole, he gets him a rabbit but Alvie is upset when he discovers it's road kill.  Alvie responds, 'It's fresh meat."  With the girl the next day, they take on the parenting role, something she didn't get from her parents who are too busy with meetings and business.  Her father is running for Senate.  This cute conversation takes place:
What do you want for breakfast?
Savannah: Chocolate milk, cocoa puff, buttermilk, chocolate strawberries, peaches, Wheaties, chocolate bananas, pancakes, sausage, toast, oatmeal - apple, and bacon.
This movie is filmed in Utah and there are many familiar scenes including Liberty Park and Bridal Veil Falls.  Cameo roles are portrayed by Pat Morita, a priest and Peter Graves, a private investigator.