Redbelt: The Art of Combat

I am a big fan of martial arts and have always been intrigued with the mystical qualities of the teachings. For this reason I will

1. Run to the theater when the movie Redbelt finally reaches Charlotte and
2. Soon enroll both myself and my daughter in a marital arts class

My daughter and I recently saw a friend’s black belt ceremony where she and several other students (three women and two men) had to exhibit all of the kicks, blocks, and other moves they learned in their many years of martial arts training. It was a fierce show by the students who all gave it a lot of emotion, sweat, and skill. My daughter and I were both spellbound and we are lucky enough to be able to take classes with the master teacher who headed this group.

Redbelt, directed by one of my favorite writer/directors, David Mamet, is about a martial artist (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who finds his integrity on the line after he saves an action star (Tim Allen) from attack and takes a job in the film industry. Chiwetel plays Mike Terry, a Jiu-jitsu master who has avoided the prize fighting circuit, choosing to instead pursue a life of honor and education by operating a self-defense studio in Los Angeles. Terry's life is dramatically changed however when he is conned by a group of movie stars and promoters. In order to pay off his debts and regain his honor, Terry must step into the ring for the first time in his life.

Here are some quotes from the movie trailer that seem to have some worth, apart from the film – they teach us something about combat:

The other guy has a handicap if he cannot control himself.

Breathe — you know the escape. Breathe, there’s always an escape.

There’s one rule — put the other guy down.

A man distracted is a man defeated.

He who imposes the terms of the battle, imposes the terms of the peace.

There is no situation you cannot escape. You know the escape.

Hmmmmm……………………