Data Base: Into the Badlands (2015 -- )

© AMC | Source:AMC

Series Premiere	November 15, 2015
Genre	Drama, Dystopian, Martial Arts, Action, Adventure
Country of Origin	United States
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	6
Running Time	44 minutes
Channel	AMC
Website	http://www.amc.com/shows/into-the-badlands
Developed by	Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Starring	Emily Beecham, Sarah Bolger, Orla Brady, Daniel Burford, Marton Csokas, Ally Ioannides, Aramis Knight, Madeleine Mantock, Oliver Stark, Daniel Wu

Synopsis

“The wars were so long ago nobody even remembers. Darkness and fear ruled until the time of the barons, seven men and women who forged order out of chaos. People flocked to them for protection. That protection became servitude. They banished guns and trained armies of lethal fighters they called Clippers. This world is built on blood. Nobody is innocent here. Welcome to the Badlands.”

Sunny (Daniel Wu), Head Clipper of the Badlands’ most powerful baron, rescues a boy from Nomades. The boy M.K. (Aramis Knight) turns out to have mysterious powers. While trying to unravel the secret behind M.K.'s dark gift and the connection between the two, a new baron, the Widow (Emily Beecham), provokes a war between the rivalling lands.

Yay or nay?

If you have any problems with seeing blood or breaking bones or severed limbs flying round and about, Into the Badlands is definitely not for you. For all those who couldn’t care less, prepare for a deeply-engaging, dark, gritty, martial arts-packed, post-apocalyptic action adventure series. A modern tribute to classic Samurai films. 

PS: A second season is scheduled for 2017

PPS: The intro was composed by no other than Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda

A Scene to Remember: Bar Brawl

© Sony Pictures Classic | Source: tumblr

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny will be hitting cinemas on February 26. So I figured this was the perfect occasion to take a look back at one of the most memorable scenes from its predecessor, the Chinese martial arts classic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

When I think of Tiger and Dragon, which was released sixteen years ago (!), the first thing that comes to my mind is the brilliant bar brawl scene. Jen Yu (Ziyi Zhang), disguised as a man, takes a lunch break in a rural restaurant. A place oozing with testosterone. Lost in thoughts, maybe of home or her loved one or maybe the priceless stolen sword “Green Destiny” by her side, she sips her tea when a group of local fighters challenge her to a duel. With their chests puffed out like roosters, they announce their warrior names (Iron Arm Mi, Flying Saber and Shining Phoenix Mountain Gou) and then strike at Jen. 

Without letting go of her tea cup, she fends them off single-handedly, but as they keep pressing her to reveal her identity, she loses her patience. Spouting one epithet after the next, she not only takes the men, but the whole restaurant apart in that gravity defying way of hers. 

You want to know who I am? I am... I am the Invincible Sword Goddess, armed with the Green Destiny that knows no equal! Be you Li or Southern Crane, bow your head and ask for mercy! I am the dragon from the desert! Who comes from nowhere and leaves no trace! Today I fly over Eu-Mei. Tomorrow... I topple Mount Wudan! - Jen Yu

I’d call that a flashy introduction. You can tell Jen is enjoying every second of it. And so do we. By not only beating the local warriors physically but also verbally, Jen shows these bulky men that she is not having their bullshit. For every fan of martial arts movies and strong female characters this brawl scene is a treat. Have a look and enjoy!