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Benny Urquidez
Benny Urquidez (born June 20, 1952) is an American former professional kickboxer, martial arts choreographer and actor. Nicknamed "The Jet", Urquidez was a non-contact karate competitor who later pioneered full-contact fighting in the United States. He made the transition from point to full-contact karate in 1974, the year of its inception in the US, frequently fighting in bouts where the rules were ambiguous and contrasts in styles were dramatic. Urquidez is also known for once holding the rare achievement of six world titles in five different weight divisions, and remained largely undefeated in his 27-year career. His only loss came in a Muay Thai match which was shrouded in controversy, as Urquidez had only agreed to a no-decision exhibition, a clause that was ignored when the fight was over. Between 1974 and 1993, he amassed a documented professional record of 49–1–1 (win-loss-draw) with 35 knockouts and two controversial no-contests, although he is also supposed to hav ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Tarzana, California
Tarzana () is a suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Tarzana is on the site of a former ranch owned by author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is named after Burroughs' fictional jungle hero, Tarzan. History The area now known as Tarzana was occupied in 1797 by settlers and missionaries from New Spain who established the San Fernando Mission. The region was later absorbed by Mexico, and then surrendered to the United States in 1848 in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo following the Mexican–American War. As part of the U.S., it evolved into a series of large cattle ranches. Investors in the region turned grazing fields into large-scale wheat farms during the 1870s. The area was purchased in 1909 by the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company. ''Los Angeles Times'' founder and publisher General Harrison Gray Otis invested in the company and also personally acquired in the center of modern-day Tarzana. In February 1919, Edgar Rice Burroughs, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Martial Arts Choreographer
Stage combat, fight craft or fight choreography is a specialised technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. With the advent of cinema and television the term has widened to also include the choreography of filmed fighting sequences, as opposed to the earlier live performances on stage. It is closely related to the practice of stunts and is a common field of study for actors. Actors famous for their stage fighting skills frequently have backgrounds in dance, gymnastics or martial arts training. History Ancient The history of stage fighting and mock combat can be traced to antiquity, with Aristotle quoted as noting that tragedy is conflict between people or indeed it may be traced to the origins of the human species and primate display behaviour. Display of martial aptitude is a natural occurrence in warrior societies, and ritualized ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles and sometimes abbreviated as LA County, is the List of United States counties and county equivalents, most populous county in the United States, with 9,663,345 residents estimated in 2023. Its population is greater than that of 40 individual List of U.S. states and territories by population, U.S. states. Comprising List of cities in Los Angeles County, California, 88 incorporated cities and List of unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County, California, 101+ unincorporated areas within a total area of , it is home to more than a quarter of Demographics of California, Californians and is one of the most ethnically diverse U.S. counties. The County seat, county's seat, Los Angeles, is the List of United States cities by population, second most populous city in the United States, with 3,820,914 residents estimated in 2023. The county is the domicile of the Cinema of the United States, U.S. motion picture industry since ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Grosse Pointe Blank
''Grosse Pointe Blank'' is a 1997 American dark comedy film directed by George Armitage and written by Tom Jankiewicz, D. V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink, and John Cusack. Based on a story written by Jankiewicz, it follows a professional assassin who leaves Los Angeles to attend a high school reunion in his hometown of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where he reconnects with the girlfriend he abandoned on prom night. The film stars Cusack, Minnie Driver, and Dan Aykroyd. The score of ''Grosse Pointe Blank'' was composed by Joe Strummer of the Clash, and its soundtrack subsequently became notable for featuring a number of popular and alternative punk rock, ska, and new wave songs. The film was released by Buena Vista Pictures through the Hollywood Pictures label, receiving generally positive reviews from critics and grossing $31 million on a $15 million budget. Plot Martin Blank, a professional assassin based in Los Angeles, is preparing for a job when his assistant Marcella informs him ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
George Armitage
George Brendan Armitage (December 13, 1942 – February 15, 2025) was an American filmmaker and writer best known for directing the films ''Miami Blues'' (1990) and ''Grosse Pointe Blank'' (1997), as well as for frequent collaborations with Roger Corman. Early life George Brendan Armitage was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on December 13, 1942. He had an older brother. His mother was a writer who wanted to get into movies, so they moved to Beverly Hills when he was 13, in 1956. He later said of this, "What a culture shock. I'm still reeling. In Connecticut there wasn't a hot rod in sight. Out here it was people racing up and down the street, building their own cars—it was teenage paradise, the kids were running everything." He attended UCLA, where he majored in economics and political science. While waiting for his real estate license to come through, he entered the film industry in 1965 via the mail room at 20th Century Fox. Career In 1966, Armitage became an associate prod ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Dragons Forever
''Dragons Forever'' () is a 1988 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, who also starred in the film, and co-directed by Corey Yuen. The film co-stars Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Pauline Yeung, Deannie Yip, Yuen Wah, Roy Chiao, and Crystal Kwok. It is the last film in which Hung, Chan and Biao all appeared in together, as later Chan subsequently focused on his solo film career. In the film, a lawyer is hired to discover information that would destroy a fishery owner's reputation, and undermine her legal case against a chemical factory. The lawyer employs two agents to help his cause without informing them of their respective roles in the scheme, resulting in hostile relationships between the agents. The lawyer and his agents turn against their employers when they learn that the factory is a front for the production of narcotics. Plot A fishery is seeking court action against a local chemical factory for polluting the water. The mysterious chemical com ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Wheels On Meals
''Wheels on Meals'' () is a 1984 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written and directed by Sammo Hung, with action choreographed by Jackie Chan. The film stars Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Lola Forner, Benny Urquidez, and José Sancho. The film was shot in Barcelona, Spain. The film was a box office hit in East Asia, including Japan where the film was released as ''Spartan X''. The film was also well-received by critics for its comedy and action, particularly the final fight between Jackie Chan and Benny Urquidez, which is considered one of the greatest fight scenes of all time. Jackie Chan with his stunt team were nominated for Best Action Choreography, for both ''Wheels on Meals'' and '' Project A'', at the 4th Hong Kong Film Awards, winning the award for ''Project A''. ''Wheels on Meals'' spawned the ''Spartan X'' franchise. In 1984, it was adapted into the video game '' Spartan X'' (released as ''Kung-Fu Master'' internationally), which laid the foun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Jackie Chan
Fang Shilong (born Chan Kong-sang; 7 April 1954), known professionally as Jackie Chan,; is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker, known for his slapstick, acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and innovative stunts, which he typically performs himself. With a Jackie Chan filmography, film career spanning more than sixty years, he is regarded as one of the most Cultural icon, iconic and influential martial artists in the history of cinema. Films in which he has appeared in have grossed over $5.8 billion worldwide. Starting as one of the China Drama Academy#The Seven Little Fortunes, Seven Little Fortunes at the China Drama Academy, where he was trained in acrobatics, martial arts and acting, Chan entered the Hong Kong film industry as a stuntman before making the transition to acting. His breakthrough came with the action comedy ''Snake in the Eagle's Shadow'' (1978). He then starred in similar action comedies such as ''Drunken Master'' (1978) and ''The Young Master'' (1980 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
International Sports Hall Of Fame
The International Sports Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is a section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2012 by Dr. Robert M. Goldman to honor exceptional athletes and sporting figures for their accomplishments and dedication to furthering the fields of sports and physical culture. The inductees are bestowed with their own official ISHOF emblem, a gold lapel pin, a gold medallion, a hand crafted gold medal and the inclusion into the H.J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports which is an archive and museum dedicated to the study and preservation of the world of physical culture. Nominations With its mission being 'inspiring future generations of athletes by honoring the sports heroes of today', potential induction candidates from worldwide are picked and shortlisted by a twenty-member 'Global Advisory Board' chaired by the president Dr. Robert M. Goldman and vice president Fairfax Hackley. The winners are selected based on their past and present contributio ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Black Belt (magazine)
''Black Belt'' is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports. The magazine is based in Hollywood, California, and is one of the oldest titles dedicated to martial arts in the United States. History and profile The magazine was founded in 1961 by Mitoshi Uyehara. It was published by Uyehara under the company "Black Belt, Inc." based in Los Angeles until 1973. Although the publication went mainstream in 1961, the first magazine was produced and sold for ten cents and was put together on the kitchen floor of Uyehara's home in 1958. By the first year of producing a full publication in 1961, Uyehara was in debt for $30,000. This story has been one that he has shared with his children and grandchild to believe in oneself and fight against the odds. Bruce Lee contributed many articles to the publication during the 1960s. Uyehara, a martial artist in his own right, was a key personage in arranging Lee's material for publication. Uyehara is a 3rd Dan in Aikido but studi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings
The Standardized Tournaments And Ratings System (STAR) was the premier rating service for international kickboxing, from 1980 through 1989, as syndicated in fifteen martial arts and sports magazines throughout the world. It was recognized as the official ratings source by two out of three major sanctioning bodies for professional kickboxing, World Kickboxing Association (WKA) and Karate International Council of Kickboxing (KICK).“About Us” at http://www.starsystemkickboxing.net/Pages/aboutus.aspx. Retrieved on 2 June 2011. The STAR ratings helped internationalize the sport by encouraging transnational matchmaking, and by enabling free agent champions such as: Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Rob Kaman, Stan "The Man" Longinidis, Dennis Alexio, Maurice Smith, Peter "Sugarfoot" Cunningham, Fred Royers, James Warring, Graciela Casillas and Lucia Rijker. STAR relied on a statistical technique adapted from international tournament chess competition. Co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Muay Thai
Muay Thai or Muaythai (, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinch fighting, clinching techniques. The name “Art of Eight Limbs” refers to the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and Shinbone, shins. Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the late 20th to 21st century, when Westernised practitioners from Thailand began competing in kickboxing and mixed-rules matches as well as matches under Muay Thai rules around the world. The professional league is governed by the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand, sanctioned by the Sports Authority of Thailand. Muay Thai is related to other martial art styles of the Greater India, Indian cultural sphere such as Musti-yuddha, Muay Chaiya, Muay Boran, Lao boxing, Muay Lao, Lethwei, Benjang and Tomoi. A practitioner of Muay Thai is known as a ''Nak Muay''. West ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
