guest post by mikl-em
From the finishing what I started department…
The original “Chessboxing” is not the weird sport I posted about a few months back. Are you surprised that there’s more than one way to crossbreed Boxing and Chess?
Mystery of Chess Boxing is a Kung Fu film from 1979 (aka “Ninja Checkmate”) and it has everything you want in a 70’s Kung Fu flick, and nothing more. All the hallmarks of the genre are here: bad dubbing, slapping-tin-pan-fight-sounds, zooming closeups on the eyes of the villian, and some mad eyebrow hair in the bargain. It also features something called “double horse style”, which sounds smutty (though there’s also a hybrid astrological equivalent).
The movie is also an inspiration for the Wu-Tang Clan rap group (whose Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ on the album Enter the Wu-Tang features samples from the film). Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killer even took his name from the film’s villain.
Here’s the video for the Wu-tang tune:
Here Are A Few Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
- Chessboxing, A Sport Where Competitors Alternate Between Playing Chess & Boxing Each Other
- J.J. Abrams Talks About His Inspiration & The Mystery Box
- Classic Analog Versions of Google, Search Wasn’t Always So Fast
- Leave It to Beaver Mystery Letter (1958)
- Mission-Style Burritos, In Berlin!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
And if you’d like to view the Wu-Tang video without censorship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxPyeU5-lis
Thanks Michael, I’ve swapped out the video.
I don’t get those rappers that are SO BAD.. ooooo I’m tough oooo I’m a thug …. oooo I come the hood and I’m going to kill you !
Come on people bottom line you’re guys that SING!
Peace out, yo!