Review and news hub for movies, music and video games

You know, it’s hard to tell exactly what to think of Jean-Claude Van Damme. As big a Street Fighter fan as I know we all are, the man’s personal life and choices are just getting more and more perplexing.

First, I don’t know what to think of his career notions following the reveal that he turned down a role in Rush Hour 3 (though to be fair, that was all the media taking things out of context and making a big deal out of nothing). 

Second, I think that he’s a pretty cool guy, after he cancels a promotional tour of his new film to tend to his recently adopted dog.

Then this whole thing happens (or hasn’t really happened, since I haven’t seen any major media news sites pick it up). Van Damme recently gave an interview about the film to Newsweek reporter Sarah Ball and, well, it sort of speaks for itself.

There's a monologue in the film about being a washed-up action star. Did you improvise that?

I like structure--like driving: go past the school on the street, stay on the right side, no hitting the car, go in right, you'll see a big church, stop and take a left, and you'll have it. By doing this I'm giving a structure of life, a path of light, and showing what happens between me and me, which is something very beautiful.

Beautiful? Why?

I really opened myself up in "JCVD." I peeled back the skin of the fruit, cut the pulp and then took that very hard seed. In this film I cut that hard seed, and inside that seed was a kind of liquid cream substance of the man I am, or the woman you are.

OK --

It was like being naked--I would love to be naked in front of you.

Well, I --

Not being naked being naked. I say such things in Hong Kong and they thought I was being a crazy Frenchman. Being naked of protection.

So you've no regrets at all?

Believe me--I've done very good stuff and very crazy stuff, and I don't regret the crazy stuff. So are you in New York?

Yes, I am.

And are you 27, or 32?

I'm 22.

Oh, f---. That is very young. Will you come to the premiere?

I don't know. When is it?

I don't know. You will wear all black, a black dress and high heels?

Uh --

You can come find me, I will be the one with the very broad shoulders, dark hair and a simple suit. We can have some champagne, you and me.

I defy you to watch Legionnaire again and not think about this. Or to watch Legionnaire at all.

But seriously, more than a little sketchy. The original piece can be found here.