Where in Asia were you when “First Blood” and “Deliverance” hit the theaters, here?

[GammaGlobulin]

My Dear Friends,

 

Rambo: First blood hit the theatres in my part of Asia, around 1982, shortly following its release in America.

 

Deliverance was an earlier film, released in 1972, but still of basically the same genre.  And, I first watched this film on tape, using VHS, as I foggily recall, while living in Asia.

 

In my opinion, I am a fairly non-violent sort of person, one who prefers passive-aggressiveness over outright violence. I guess, when one is an introvert, then passive-aggressive thinking is one’s best weapon of choice, rather than overt violence. Although, I do not condone any forms of violence, at any time.

 

Originally, one evening in 1982, I had attended the theatre (using the UK spelling here), to watch First Blood, not knowing an inkling about this film. I was shocked to my boots by what I considered such a blatantly dumb film, with themes that were dumber, similar to the film “Dumb and Dumber”, an erudite production which would not be filmed until later.

 

Yet, films such as Dumb and Dumber grow on one, due to the nostalgia effect which plagues many of us.

 

I just wish to mention that, similar to the time when JFK was assassinated, I still recall, so clearly, the moment I saw First Blood. Truly, this was a shock to my system. And, I viewed the film, in entirety, with Chinese subtitles which did not distract me from the action, too much.

 

I thought about this viewing, this morning, and sat and wondered, about this film from 1982. Ain’t it funny how our lives move, especially when you just don’t have as much to lose?

 

Here are two notable excerpts from these films. I like Brian, especially.....

 

 

 

I have no negative thoughts about Stallone or Burt, and know nothing about their personal lives. Their media persona leaves much to be desired, in my opinion. Although, I did like watching the stallion’s counterpart, Sharon Stone, in her great film, Basic Instinct, especially her interrogation scene, watching her cross and uncross her gorgeous legs. Stallone loved Stone, in my opinion, obviously, which was apparent in the film, The Specialist.  And, I also loved reading The Spy Who Loved me, written by James Bond.

 

Personally, I do prefer films like Guinness’s “Man in the White Suit”, which is far more up my alley. Such films are far more to my taste, and far funnier.

 

Others, here, of course, prefer bows and arrows, and I am no film snob.

 

These days, looking back on over 45 years of life in Asia, I realize just how blessed I have been, not by Mother Mary, but by the earthiness of what I found here, when I was a young boy, willing to be led astray, in the best way.

 

Let me please not write too much, this time.

 

Best regards,

Glob

 

Note:  I often think just how lucky we are to have this TV Forum, which is the best.  There are many old guys here, guys who are super-smart and learned, talented men and women who are retired from interesting careers, people with far more experience than I might have; smart people who are also very good writers and enjoy more satire and parody than I can write.  Therefore, we are lucky to be a part of this forum, as most of us know. I think that Voltaire might be posting here, if he were alive today, even though I never agreed with his politics, either.

 

Take care.  Very soon, we will all be back to NORMAL around here, I think. Or, as some of you might tell me, maybe I will not be back to normal. So be it.

[sipi]

Australia, if that counts.

[GammaGlobulin]

One important thing I had intended to mention in the above topic is this:

 

TV has metamorphized, thankfully, during the the past two recent years, into a place where those of us who are somewhat garrulous are able to contribute well-intentioned scribblings without reproach, and with a minimal amount of flack.

 

After so many years, this is now a boon to those who really care about the solidarity of our TV-Thailand community.

 

I have no doubt, whatsoever, that we have become a kinder and gentler society and culture here.

 

And, if this were not so evident, then I would not post my thoughts here.

 

In this forum, we can find many people who share much in common, and there are very few places where this is the case.

 

But, this does not happen serendipitously, by any means.

 

This only happens through hard work expended by the people who still care, so much.

 

Hats off to the people who make this happen.

 

We have come a long way, Baby!

 

 

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

I was fighting out the sequel in Nam.

[GammaGlobulin]

Another movie scene I love is the great film, Billy Budd.

 

Bosun (boatswain), "Do your Duty"!

 

 

Melville was no slouch, I guess.

[GammaGlobulin]

BILLY BUDD:

 

Chapter 1

 

In the time before steamships, or then more frequently than now, a stroller along the docks of any considerable sea-port would occasionally have his attention arrested by a group of bronzed mariners, man-of-war's men or merchant-sailors in holiday attire ashore on liberty. In certain instances they would flank, or, like a body-guard quite surround some superior figure of their own class, moving along with them like Aldebaran among the lesser lights of his constellation. That signal object was the "Handsome Sailor" of the less prosaic time alike of the military and merchant navies. With no perceptible trace of the vainglorious about him, rather with the off-hand unaffectedness of natural regality, he seemed to accept the spontaneous homage of his shipmates. A somewhat remarkable instance recurs to me. In Liverpool, now half a century ago, I saw under the shadow of the great dingy street-wall of Prince's Dock (an obstruction long since removed) a common sailor, so intensely black that he must needs have been a native African of the unadulterate blood of Ham. A symmetric figure much above the average height. The two ends of a gay silk handkerchief thrown loose about the neck danced upon the displayed ebony of his chest; in his ears were big hoops of gold, and a Scotch Highland bonnet with a tartan band set off his shapely head. It was a hot noon in July; and his face, lustrous with perspiration, beamed with barbaric good humor. In jovial sallies right and left, his white teeth flashing into he rollicked along, the centre of a company of his shipmates.

 

These were made up of such an assortment of tribes and complexions as would have well fitted them to be marched up by Anacharsis Cloots before the bar of the first French Assembly as Representatives of the Human Race. At each spontaneous tribute rendered by the wayfarers to this black pagod of a fellow--the tribute of a pause and stare, and less frequent an exclamation,--the motley retinue showed that they took that sort of pride in the evoker of it which the Assyrian priests doubtless showed for their grand sculptured Bull when the faithful prostrated themselves.

 

To return. If in some cases a bit of a nautical Murat in setting forth his person ashore, the Handsome Sailor of the period in question evinced nothing of the dandified Billy-be-Damn, an amusing character all but extinct now, but occasionally to be encountered, and in a form yet more amusing than the original, at the tiller of the boats on the tempestuous Erie Canal or, more likely, vaporing in the groggeries along the tow-path. Invariably a proficient in his perilous calling, he was also more or less of a mighty boxer or wrestler. It was strength and beauty. Tales of his prowess were recited. Ashore he was the champion; afloat the spokesman; on every suitable occasion always foremost. Close-reefing top-sails in a gale, there he was, astride the weather yard-arm-end, foot in the Flemish horse as "stirrup," both hands tugging at the "earring" as at a bridle, in very much the attitude of young Alexander curbing the fiery Bucephalus. A superb figure, tossed up as by the horns of Taurus against the thunderous sky, cheerily hallooing to the strenuous file along the spar.

 

The moral nature was seldom out of keeping with the physical make. Indeed, except as toned by the former, the comeliness and power, always attractive in masculine conjunction, hardly could have drawn the sort of honest homage the Handsome Sailor in some examples received from his less gifted associates.

[GammaGlobulin]

Such beautiful prose, one just must cry with delight...right?

[GammaGlobulin]

"The blood of Ham"

 

Indeed.

[GammaGlobulin]

"God bless Captain Vere!"

 

Unfortunately, Billy Budd is so pure that he only finally achieves his first erection while being hung from the yardarm.

 

This almost never happens in Pattaya. 

 

If ONLY Billy Budd could have visited Pattaya before he was hung, then he might have had his innocence happily shattered, and he might have fallen in love, and he might have, finally, known the blessedness of Sin.

 

Unfortunately, he only achieved his first and last erection, hanging from a yardarm, too late.

 

Such is the pity.

 

Therefore: Never criticize what goes on in Pattaya, my friends.  And, I never do. 

 

Giving head is good.

 

Receiving head is even better.

 

Sugar plums in Pattaya?

 

Love is never free, but, in Pattaya, love is not so costly that no man cannot lose his virginity.  And, few girls are frigid in Pattaya, also.

 

Few have headaches, either.

 

Shave your legs, and get down there.

 

 

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

Deliverance '72', I was still in high school.  Was smoking Thai sticks though, as buddy was stationed over here   

[Meat Pie 47]

2 hours ago, sipi said:

Australia, if that counts.

It is Australasia but I know what you mean

[Meat Pie 47]

I don't read his silly stupid posts he is on my ignore list but some times I need to replay to decent posters

[sipi]

6 hours ago, Meat Pie 47 said:

I don't read his silly stupid posts he is on my ignore list but some times I need to replay to decent posters

Yeah. It's a long way of saying "I've been in Thailand longer than you".

I didn't go to Thailand for the first time since 1985, so he beats me.

[GammaGlobulin]

21 minutes ago, sipi said:

Yeah. It's a long way of saying "I've been in Thailand longer than you".

I didn't go to Thailand for the first time since 1985, so he beats me.

1971

 

It was better back then.

 

But, you will never know.

 

You were not there, then.

[Peterw42]

I was 12 years old and hadn't even started high school yet, When deliverance came out, and I'm 61.

Its only a small amount of aseannow readers, (over 70, Vietnam vets etc), that the question has any relevance.

"Where were you" etc is an interesting question to pose, maybe without the presumption that we all lived in asia 50 years ago.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Peterw42

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, sipi said:

Yeah. It's a long way of saying "I've been in Thailand longer than you".

I didn't go to Thailand for the first time since 1985, so he beats me.

Don't know about 'longer' as may have simply been in the military, did 18 months, and didn't return till after 2000 for all anyone knows.

 

I was way too busy hanging out in other countries before coming here.  They were and are still better than Thailand, then & now.

Edited April 6, 2022 by KhunLA

[GammaGlobulin]

2 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

I was 12 years old and hadn't even started high school yet, When deliverance came out, and I'm 61.

Its only a small amount of aseannow readers, (over 70, Vietnam vets etc), that the question has any relevance.

"Where were you" etc is an interesting question to pose, maybe without the presumption that we all lived in asia 50 years ago.

So solly.

Some day, very soon, you will be 70.

 

And then, you will be asking....

 

What ever happened to Mary Hartman.

 

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Don't know about 'longer' as may have simply been in the military, did 18 months, and didn't return till after 2000 for all anyone knows.

 

I was way too busy hanging out in other countries before coming here.  They were and are still better than Thailand, then & now.

Spain, did you mean?

 

Spain seems to be the only place better than here.

Although, I have never been there.

[RandiRona]

Man....You got Stamina....that I will give it to you!! What you write in a day, I cant do it in a year. Keep it up!! ...oh sorry You are celibate I guess????‍♂️

[GammaGlobulin]

3 hours ago, sipi said:

Yeah. It's a long way of saying "I've been in Thailand longer than you".

I didn't go to Thailand for the first time since 1985, so he beats me.

Nobody beats nobody.

This is not the point.

 

What I really wish is that I could have been here, or in China, in 1949, together with Edgar Snow.

 

What I really wish is that I could return to the days when farang were almost never seen in most places in Asia.

 

The days before television was common here.

 

When I first came to Asia, in the sticks, almost everyone stared at me.

 

This was the way I liked it.

 

I was an oddity!

 

A freak!!!

 

I was a somebody! I was a contender!

 

I could have been SOMEBODY!

 

Instead of a bum!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lazygourmet]

I was snorting coke in Bali when "Scarface" became available on LaserDisc.

Does it count?!?

[KhunLA]

45 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Spain, did you mean?

 

Spain seems to be the only place better than here.

Although, I have never been there.

No ... the Americas; USA, Caribbean Isles, Mexico

EU-Amsterdam / Copenhagen (cities)

 

Would have hated to limited myself to one small a$$ country for 50 yrs.   Bored crazy sometimes after only being here 20some years.  Maybe if from some where's even smaller (UK) Thailand might hold interest longer.

 

Then there's those that have only been to Krung Thep (Nana/KSR), Patts or Phuket ... that's sad.

Edited April 6, 2022 by KhunLA

[GammaGlobulin]

8 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

No ... the Americas; USA, Caribbean Isles, Mexico

EU-Amsterdam / Copenhagen (cities)

 

Would have hated to limited myself to one small a$$ country for 50 yrs.   Bored crazy sometimes after only being here 20some years.  Maybe if from some where's even smaller (UK) Thailand might hold interest longer.

 

Then there's those that have only been to Krung Thep (Nana/KSR), Patts or Phuket ... that's sad.

Try driving from Naples, Florida to Belize City in a Mercedes.

 

Not now, but 30 years ago.

 

Try that on, for size.

[GammaGlobulin]

20 minutes ago, lazygourmet said:

I was snorting coke in Bali when "Scarface" became available on LaserDisc.

Does it count?!?

Unfortunately, yes.

It counts.

 

The only question might be:  Why?

[Rimmer]

In 1972 when deliverance came out I was at home in Bishops Stortford, England practicing my banjo,  what else would a bluegrass banjo picker be doing............Sorry not yet in Asia back then

 

[GammaGlobulin]

1 minute ago, Rimmer said:

In 1972 when deliverance came out I was at home in Bishops Stortford, England practicing my banjo,  what else would a bluegrass banjo picker be doing............

 

I would have posted it.

Thank you for posting this.

[worgeordie]

That was a Monday .....right , I cannot remember where

I was , I cannot remember what happened last week .....????

 

regards Worgeordie

[KhunLA]

42 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Try driving from Naples, Florida to Belize City in a Mercedes.

 

Not now, but 30 years ago.

 

Try that on, for size.

Try to stay focused ... I'll pass, too mature for that contest.  

 

 

Edited April 6, 2022 by KhunLA

[RichardColeman]

15 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Deliverance was an earlier film, released in 1972, but still of basically the same genre. 

Being only 8 my parents thought better of my request to travel to Thailand

[GammaGlobulin]

Speaking of deliverance from our troubles, something not too easy these days, one can do one or more of three things:

 

a. One can listen to crickets

b. One can listen to a banjo

c.  One can listen to crickets and banjos, all together.