Where have you gone Steven Seagal?

Well, evidently our favorite movie chop, stomp, and womp ass guy hasn't gone anywhere. He's got several flicks in the works right now including some in production through 2008!

First, let me say (admit) this...we own about 10 Steven Seagal DVDs. Loretta loves him. I aspire to be him, or more accurately, his characters. He is one of the best movie guys around when it comes to kicking bad guys asses. And, yes, he only opens his exotic can of whoop ass on "people who deserve it". And, of course, he has a sensitive side as well. Most of his roles project him as a student of the martial arts and ancient Asian-based religions.

For the uninitiated, Steven Seagal has usually played a movie character very similar to Cane in Kung Fu...flashbacks showing him learning his self-defense skills and faith from some mysterious monk-like person in a far off land. Though, I've never heard him referred to as "Grasshopper". The typical script scenario also included a stint on a U.S. Navy Seal team, or as a CIA or Special Forces operative...then to the Chicago police deparment, DEA, ATF, or something similar. His real-life history echoes some of this including the martial arts training (and teaching) in Japan...though excluding any government service, special agent, or police department stints.

In the early 80's he was "discovered" teaching martial arts to Hollywood types by power broker Michael Ovitz. The rest is movie history. As producer of most of his flicks, it has afforded him the opportunity to venture into socially and environmentally conscious themes while maintaining the occassional Aikido ass-kicking lesson unleashed upon the film's villains.
Admittedly, Loretta and I gravitate toward his films hoping to see more of this latter-mentioned talent. You can read more about Mr. Seagals bio and movie credits here.

Our recommendations for an introduction to Steven Seagal flicks? Try Marked For Death (1990), Under Siege (1992) co-starring Tommy Lee Jones, or Above The Law (1988). Be advise, all of his flicks are very violent in nature, especially the martial arts fighting. Seagal's signature coup de grace inflicted on the worst criminals (seen in at least three of his films): breaking the guy's arm backwards at the elbow, then bending him over his knee and cracking his back! Zowie! Loretta loves his signature poneytail...I've tried, not enough hair left!

For an additional treat for any male readers, check out Kelly LeBrock, his wife of eight years (now divorced) and co-star in Hard To Kill (1990).