FULL LIST OF MOVIES AVAILABLE HERE: sleepyskunk.tumblr.com The year in movies has stood out for two reasons in my humble opinion. First, it was a year that started with a “Summer Blockbuster” (The Green Hornet) and ended with one (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol). Studios realized that audiences love car chases and explosions on the big screen as much as butter on their popcorn and every single month in 2011 granted us with a surprising share of intense action. Second, it was a year of looking back and respecting the essential elements that used to make movies so special. From Drive and Hugo to Super 8 and The Artist, it seems that studios have started acknowledging the missing ingredients in their recipe for success and paid great tribute to the kind of movies that were once (and still are) warm to our hearts. This end-of-year montage is divided in two parts that attempt to outline and illustrate each of these points through images rather than words. PRIMA PARTE: ‘The Crablouse’ by Lords of Acid – Instrumental Remix by Rob Ashton – bit.ly SECONDA PARTE: ‘To The Stars’ by Randy Edelman – From the DragonHeart Soundtrack – bit.ly Special thanks to my cat – Gaston – who sat by me the entire time I edited this and never complained – not even once. The mini “Batman Returns” tribute featuring Puss ‘N Boots at 1:53 was for him. Happy Holidays moviebuffs!

In this episode we talk about the first time we filmed a car chase (and why YOU SHOULDN’T). This indy mogul style film school series will cover basic stage and film fighting, martial arts techniques for movies, basic stunts, camera angles & cinematography, theory behind the action, equipment and much more. Please subscribe! I am John Nguyen and have been acting, directing, producing and action choreographing for several years around Hollywood and the Bay Area. If you are in need of an action choreographer, drop me a line and I may be able to direct you to someone in your area.

William Friedkin talks about shooting the gripping car chase scene from THE FRENCH CONNECTION. CONNECT WITH AFI: facebook.com twitter.com AFI.com AFI FACEBOOK APP: apps.facebook.com