#SKIPTRACE (2016)

[addison-etc]

homage

“come on, it’s a silly dream

dreaming of the imagery unfound,

the view sits nice from that cloud

and if you want a piece of my thoughts,

there’s a coin worth flipping

why don’t you toss?”

homage - mild high club

skiptracing, 2016

[tctmp]

Action  Adventure  Comedy

[adamwatchesmovies]

Skiptrace (2016)

Skiptrace is one of those “in the middle” movies. You can watch it and have a good time no problem. I’d watch a sequel but to call it a good movie? That's a stretch. So there it is. Halfway between good and bad.

Hong Kong detective Bennie Chan (Jackie Chan) has to track down an American conman, Connor Watts (Johnny Knoxville). That's the price to save his adoptive daughter Samantha (Fan Bingbing), who's being held by criminals who believe she helped Watts steal from their casino.

Do you like Rush Hour? Ever wanted to see Chris Tucker swapped out for a white guy? Then see Skiptrace. The worst thing about this film is the lame and predictable ending. The second worst thing is the story, which is on autopilot. Every scene of Chan and Watts interacting has been done before. It’s sort of what you expect out of a Jackie Chan movie where he plays a cop and has to “team up” with someone who isn’t Asian. It's fun but more could’ve been done. That’s particularly true when you see the chemistry between Knoxville and Chan. It makes sense. Their backgrounds couldn't be more different but they're both physical comedians who aren’t afraid of getting hurt if it means someone will laugh. Recognizing this, they should've been given better material.

Skiptrace is funny on more than one occasion. I also enjoyed some of the side characters, such as Eve Tores (yes, the wrestler) as a recurring thug and Fan Bingbing as Samantha. The cinematography is pretty good (many cool shots of the Chinese countryside), and the stunts will satisfy Chan’s fans. Those are enough to prevent you from getting bored with the film.

Aside from the plot, other weaknesses include the been-there-done-that jokes and some questionable and awfully convenient developments. You can forgive them somewat because you’re having fun. Then, there’s the ending. I won’t give it away, but the longer it lasts, the worse it gets. First there’s a lame twist. No. "Lame" is too small. It’s a revelation that will make you go “wow, really? You thought that was a good idea? I would’ve preferred almost ANYTHING else.” Then, we get a half-hearted and totally out-of-character action by a villainous character so that we can suddenly “like” him, but it doesn’t work. Skiptrace was pushing its boulder up this steep hill and was almost at the top… but then decided to skimp out on the effort. In no time at all, that rock was back at the bottom. The good faith you put in it hardly seems like it was worth it.

Whenever Skiptrace subverts your expectations, it follows up its effort with a decision that make no sense. Every good joke is paired with a good five minutes of lazy writing. Then, there’s Renny Harlan’s direction. At first, it’s a scramble of who knows what that repeats scenes and regurgitates information repeatedly. Then it settles down and becomes more sensible, but that doesn’t make the final product anything more than profoundly average. (On Blu-ray, July 7, 2017)

[abs0luteb4stard]

WATCHING

[diploraptor]

Random Cast, Don't Cross the Stream : Skiptrace and Fight Scenes

[seymourmusicclub]

Mild High Club - Skiptracing

[cinefiled]

Skiptrace (2016)

Even at 62 Jackie Chan's martial arts and stuntwork can look amazing with the help of a good editor. In Skiptrace he gets a so-so editor. He also gets a so-so co-star. And a lazy script.

Skiptrace certainly has some good moments. There are lots of cool locations. Johnny Knoxville isn't unbearable. When he's working with material that demands more than being a Jackass he does OK. Unfortunately. this movie goes for low humor far too often and it drags the whole production down.

Skiptrace (2016) Director: Renny Harlin

[kocksville]

JOHNNY KNOXVILLE in SKIPTRACE (2016)

[altoecko]

Album on table! https://youtu.be/SiDtKOwe7lw https://open.spotify.com/album/1qMDN9zRQreK81cJ9G1hed?si=8StZnre4S9m0r7wNhVJpxA https://www.discogs.com/Mild-High-Club-Skiptracing/release/8946186 #skiptracing #mildhighclub #music #stonesthrowrecords #2016 #the2010s #2010s #august2016 #indiefunk #indiepop #indierock #amazonwarehouse #vinyl #vinyligclub #vinylgram #vinyljunkie #vinylrecords #licoricepizza #instawax #instavinyl #nowplaying #nowspinning #recordcollecting #recordcollection #recordcollector #records (at Peachtree Corners, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAq3zNRpPNy/?igshid=otneule185ys

[moviestillsforthesoul]

Skiptrace (2016)

[fuforthought]

Skiptrace (2016)

[stylohotmilo]

Best Albums of the Decade

One thing I've been doing with fervour in the last few weeks of 2019 was ploughing through 'Best of' lists. Best films, best books, songs... albums. It was a result of moments of FOMO that I was experiencing, and also anticipation on whether I've been in the loop on the good stuff that the world has been offering. I ended up with long lists of things to listen to, read and watch - and I'm not complaining. I love having something to dive into, things to explore, and new favourites. What got me most excited were new and old musicians I've discovered in these lists. And that's when I realised that for the whole of this decade, I've committed to finding music I'll love. I've a strange preference when it comes to music, and to be honest it's hard to find friends who'd appreciate the music I love. Enjoying music has seen been a lone affair - be it hunting for new music, listening to albums or attending concerts. My early days of hunting for music was through Bandcamp, where I would download any free digital album I could find within the genres of indie and alternative. Then a few years later Spotify came along, and my life changed completely. I decided that paying $7 a month for good music is worth it, and honestly it's one of the best decisions I've made in life. Every Monday, I start the week with the 'Discover Weekly' playlist that recommends new tracks based on music I've been listening to. And since the March of 2018, I've started to create bi-monthly playlists to curate tracks that I love in those weeks. I got so excited when Spotify introduced Wrapped in 2017, where it recapped tracks you've replayed for the year. I still love the songs in my 2017 playlist and they bring back so many memories. Perhaps it has to do with the way I live with music - music has always been with me at every episode, good and bad. Because I enjoy music alone, I put on my earpiece during commutes, walks, work, in the toilet, travels, after quarrels, before meetings. The songs I've been listening to somehow has a connecting image of an event that happened in life. Yesterday when I was browsing through my playlists, I realised that I want to do up this post to thank the music that has defined my life from age 16-26. It's in this decade that I figured out music I truly love, and learnt how to lean on music for comfort. So here goes, my 10 best albums from this decade.

The King of Limbs Radiohead, 2011 I'm lucky to chance upon Radiohead in my mid-teens. I don't know how it happened but it did, and Radiohead went on to define what quality means. I guess that's how mainstream music fell off my radar very quickly from then onwards. It took me a while to fall in love with this album, but the musicality and skills of the band shone through with this album. The layers and textures they offer with their songs are always so spell-binding, and it led me to appreciate genres like alternative, experimental, eletronica etc. Favourite tracks: Bloom, Lotus Flower, Give Up The Ghost

Coexist The XX, 2012 The XX's distinct sound really proves that composing music is a work of balance. Their sound is clean and minimal, yet textured and dense. It has just about the right amount of everything. Coupled with Romy Madley Croft's etheral voice and Oliver Sim's deep and husky vocals, The XX is pure magic. I recall being completely swept away when I first discovered their works. Favourite tracks: Chain, Tides, Unfold

Woman Rhye, 2013 I found it unbelievable that the vocals behind this album are from a man when I first listened to this album. It has a similar etheral quality to The XX's sound, but with the vocals and lyrics, I remember feeling a lot of sadness when listening to it. Woman made me feel really lonely and lost, and I used to play The Fall just to have a cry in my room. Favourite tracks: Open, The Fall, One Of Those Summer Days

Midnight Snack HOMESHAKE, 2015 HOMESHAKE is one of my best finds through Spotify. I think I started listening to Mac DeMarco's Salad Days and this was later introduced as a recommendation. This album, along with In The Shower have significantly shaped the rest of the music I've discovered through the app. I'm now listening to a lot of lo-fi, blues, dream pop and psychedelia. And it's the start of what my friends call 'music you listen to when you are high' haha. I don't know what that exactly feels like, but from HOMESHAKE's music, you'll seem to be able to catch a whiff of it. Also, a special mention to my top 3 tracks of all-time - Midnight Snack that's featured in this album. I just want to close my eyes to this song and gently sway along with it. Oh, please. Feelin' like I'm falling asleep. Not ready to visit my dreams. Nothing in the world let me feel. Alone, while she's here next to me. Favourite tracks: I Don't Wanna, Midnight Snack, Real Love

Skiptracing Mild High Club, 2016 Mild High Club brings a little jazz to lo-fi psychedelia, and I also love the vintage 80s vibe he layers the tracks with. I felt Brettin managed to create a unique sound that I really haven't found anywhere else. Mild High Club's debut album Timeline is a favourite as well. Favourite tracks: Skiptracing, Cary Me Back, Chapel Perilous, Kokopelli

Ego Death The Internet, 2015 The Internet are the ones who introduced me to hip hop, soul and funk music. I listened to this album heavily when a friend got us free tickets to Laneway where The Internet would be performing. It's an album that makes you want to stand up and groove along to the beats. Syd's laid-back but delicate vocals also makes The Internet's sound even more appealing. Favourite tracks: Get Away, Under Control, Go With It, Just Sayin/I Tried

Currents Tame Impala, 2015 Another band with a really distinct yet familiar sound. It feels more futuristic, almost foreign, and the narratives to the songs are also pretty fresh - on sexism, courage to tackle the unknown, embracing change.. It's an album that's high in contrast, colourful and very self-aware. It feels like it could be the soundtrack for Star Trek haha, the visuals just go so well with how I've experienced this album. Favourite tracks: The Less I Know The Better, Yes I'm Changing, The Moment

Cold Shower Triathalon, 2015 Triathalon is officially my artist of the decade based on Spotify's statistics. And it's true, I love all their albums and I've faithfully followed this very indie band for quite a while. I gave them a shout-out on Instagram to celebrate the status as artist of the decade and they so kindly replied me with "Yooo *prayer hands emoticon* *heart emoticon*" haha! Cold Shower is more of an EP, and I love all 4 tracks. It's so smooth, so groovy, so easy. Slow jams that stole my whole heart. Favourite tracks: South Side, I Want It, Come Thru, Smooth Move (hahaha yes, it's everything)

Drowsy Bane's World, 2016 "Dreamy psychedelic bedroom pop" is how fans defined Blanchard's sound. I didn't listen to this album in a seating - I was recommended various tracks one after the other and I only recently realised they are all from the same album. Some tracks are fun and cute (Still Lovely, You Bet I Stare), while others feel really eerie or melancholic (Dream Boat, Drowsy). It also took me a while to fall in love, but now I'm hooked. I've to say I do agree that his music is really strange - but it all just feels together and in the end they sit well. Favourite tracks: Dream Boat, Valentine's Curse, Stay Away From My Baby

Déjàvu Matty, 2018 I remember feeling really excited when I discovered Matty. It's the typical high-and-slightly-off pitch voice I found familiar with HOMESHAKE and Tame Impala, but he offers it with really beautiful compositions from instruments other than lo-fi keyboards and synthesizers. For some tracks I felt I was watching a movie unfolding while listening to them. A great find that wraps up my decade! Favourite tracks: I'll Gladly Place Myself Below You, Clear, Butter

[albmcvrs]

mild high club, skiptracing

(stones throw, 2016)

artwork: zach goulet

[netflixia]

Skiptrace

(2016) PG-13 - 107m

To capture a crime lord who killed his partner and kidnapped his partner's daughter, a Hong Kong detective teams with a smart aleck American gambler.

5.7/10 - IMDB

View trailer || Add/Watch on Netflix

[silveremulsion]

Skiptrace (2016)

[yokyopeli]

Skiptrace (2016) A Renny Harlin Film

Bennie Chan: It’s not honorable to fight girls.

Dasha: [holding up knuckle duster covered fists] Then stop acting like one!

***

Bennie: Wait! I don’t fight women!

Dasha: I know. That’s why I brought a gun.