Monthly Archives: August 2025

Sean Patrick Flanery

Sean Patrick Flanery Movies

action, classic, cult movie, sequel, , , ,

Sean Patrick Flanery, who stars in The Boondock Saints and other movies, has a black belt and teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This article covers Flanery’s career and passion for martial arts.

Actor With a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Sean Patrick Flanery has acted in numerous movies, including Saw 3D and Boondock Saints, but he is an action film star. The actor holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Find out he keeps his movie career while he teaches and competes worldwide.

I highly recommend you see The Boondock Saints. The original is a phenomenal movie with such a strong following. It’s fun to watch and hilarious in its shocking way. I mean, honestly, you can’t take this stuff seriously.

The Boondock Saints Full Movie

Quite some time ago, The Boondock Saints cast joined the USO tour. They made the long-distance journey as a service to entertain the US troops and promote the 10th anniversary of their action movie.

Actors Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, and Brian Mahoney, along with the film’s writer and director, Troy Duffy and producer, Chris Brinker, hopped on a plane to visit multiple military bases.

The visit with the troops proved fruitful. Troy Duffy signed autographs, posed for photos, and answered questions. Someone asked if Troy Duffy worked out at all. He laughed and said, bellowed, “No!” He mentioned that the star of the movie, Sean Patrick Flanery, possesses a black belt in jiu-jitsu and teaches martial arts at his academy in Los Angeles.

“And Shepherds we shall be For thee, my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand. Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee And teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti.” Sean Patrick Flanery as Conner MacManus

Action Film Star

Flanery does his fair share of acting in movies like Saw 3D, but he is an action film star. In his late forties, the actor holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

His journey in martial arts began at the age of nine. He started with Taekwondo because he believed it was the ultimate fighting technique. He wanted to beat up guys like David Carradine in the television show Kung Fu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

The action film star found his calling in martial arts. He trained in a variety of styles. He furthered his training when he attended his first UFC event in 1993. Flanery saw Royce Gracie dominate the competition with his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie’s discipline excited him, so he gave up all other martial arts and mastered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

His acting career started taking off, and he won the lead role in the action television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. After the series, he captured several notable movies such as Powder, Simply Irresistible, and The Boondock Saints.

Despite his busy acting career, he wanted to master his newly discovered martial arts discipline. He started his formal Jiu-Jitsu training in 2001 to become a champion himself.

Sean Patrick Flanery Exercise Regimen

Flanery began as a white belt, training three times a week like all beginners. It was an intense training regimen that consumed his life. However, he continued acting, signing on to Stargate SG-1, The Dead Zone, and Charmed.

His dedication to martial arts helped him focus on his acting roles. The two fields fit hand in glove, enabling him to develop his concentration skills and master his control over the dynamics of his body.

Acting Career Break

Flanery’s dedication and goal of becoming a champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brought him to the crossroads of his career in movies and martial arts. They tended to interfere as his success in each field overlapped.

He decided to take six months off from his acting career to master the discipline and become a champion. He also entered the Pan Ams Jiu-Jitsu tournament and other meets.

He successfully took the first annual Inland Empire Champion in 2002. He also won the American National Champion and the Pan American Champion in 2003.

Will There be The Boondock Saints 3?

Flanery says he will always be a master of Jiu-Jitsu and trains even when he goes to movie locations worldwide. The Boondock Saints movies have placed him in the spotlight.

The cult movie keeps him trending on social media outlets, where fans cannot get enough of the vigilante action film. Keeping their ears to the Internet in hopes of announcing that The Boondock Saints 3 is in production is imminent.

Surprisingly, with the grandeur and luxury of the movie business, Flanery places martial arts ahead of his film career. He drives his desire to maintain his mastery of Jiu-Jitsu and shares his craft with his students. If you ever want to meet up with him, you can visit him at his Jiu-Jitsu academy in Hollywood.

“Dolphin Tale” Is a True Story

animals, children, drama, family, true story, , , ,

Based on a true story, Dolphin Tale is a movie you and your kids will love.

Movie That’s a Family Story

If you’re looking for a movie to share with someone special, Dolphin Tale is an excellent choice for the whole family. Yes, it’s a “family-friendly” movie, but the story is about overcoming mental and physical challenges. It is a film that quickly wins your heart, as the inspirational story immediately draws you in.

The film centers on a true story about a boy named Sawyer (Nathan Gamble) and his friend, Winter, a dolphin whose tail was lost after becoming entangled in a crab trap. With the boy’s help, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium nursed Winter back to health. Winter plays herself in the movie, which is pretty impressive.

The Blu-ray/DVD combo release includes several aspects of Winter’s story. The Blu-ray and DVD include behind-the-scenes footage and educational material. Imagine working with a dolphin, teaching her how to use a prosthetic fin – the first time it has ever been done. A Dolphin Tale is the best family film of the year – a movie worth watching over and over during the summer or Winter. I highly recommend Dolphin Tale.

The behind-the-scenes featurettes are educational because you get to see how they developed the prosthetic fin. Imagine working with a dolphin for the first time, teaching her how to use a prosthetic flipper.

Dolphin Washes Up on the Beach

Sawyer discovers Winter washes up on the beach. He helps her, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s emergency response team arrives to help the injured dolphin by bringing her to the aquarium.

Sawyer is the movie’s focus as we meet the Clearwater Marine Team led by Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick Jr.) and his daughter, Hazel (Cozi Zuehlsdorff).

Hazel and Sawyer become fast friends. We see Sawyer’s transformation into a more responsible person with a purpose in life. He changes from an apathetic boy with no real goal to a high-spirited, action-packed person ready to help Winter. He has a strong desire to help her get healthy so that she can live a long and happy life.

Winter is a camera charmer because she draws the viewers into her life. You cannot help but feel empathy for her plight. The animal is doing all the movements with and without the prosthetic fin – brilliant. For comical relief, the film has a puckish pelican named Rufus – he is hilarious.

Writing Genuine Dialogue

The dialogue is genuine and propels the story forward at a meaningful and brisk pace. Never second-guessing if the story is real or spun from a simple story about saving a dolphin.

Sawyer and Hazel’s dialogue effectively conveys the challenges of growing up with one parent, yet makes them light and easy to confront.

The writing is so good that the scientific discoveries developed and engineered through Dr. McCarthy take historical precedence in helping our animals on the planet.

Winter is a camera charmer; she draws the viewers into her life. You cannot help but feel empathy for her plight.

“Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you’re broken.” Dr. Cameron McCarthy, played by Morgan Freeman

Dolphin Without a Tail

AFI Lifetime Achievement recipient, Morgan Freeman, brings a whole new level to the movie. Cast as Dr. Cameron McCarthy, a military prosthetics doctor who is sufficiently “out of the box” to make a prosthetic for a dolphin. We see an authentic Freeman character, adding the anchor to the whole process of developing a prosthetic fin for a dolphin. The McCarthy character was formulated from two prosthetic makers who had the mind’s eye to help Winter overcome her physical barrier. Both the Blu-ray and DVD offer “At Home with Winter” and “Winter’s Inspiration” featurettes, showcasing all the work that went into creating Winter’s finale. It is worth mentioning that the prosthetics makers volunteered their time to design new prosthetics as Winter grows.

The Blu-ray also features two additional extras: two animated shorts, “The Hutash Rainbow Bridge,” which tells the story Dr. Clay related to Sawyer in the movie. “Ormie and the Cookie Jar” — viewers watch an original short in the style of Pixar.

You can even visit Winter in Clearwater by visiting Seewinter.org and viewing Winter live on the webcam.

The film also stars Ashely Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Nathan Gamble.

6 Skateboard Movies Worth Watching

adventure, classic, sports, , , , , ,

Skateboard movies show tricks on the board while offering a story to keep you entertained.

Skateboarding is an adrenaline high!

Skateboard Movies Worth Watching

Skateboard films produce creative tricks, thrilling stunts, and high-energy circumstances that draw an audience. These movies often showcase the talent and subculture of skateboarding, engaging and entertaining those interested in extreme sports. Combining visuals, music, and decent storytelling also contributes to their appeal.

Get ready to swoop into the culture of tricks, actions and storytelling. Check out this list of skateboard movies. Enjoy the action and drama.

1. Lords of Dogtown (2005)

2. Thrashin (1986)

3. Mid90s (2018)

4. Skate Kitchen (2018)

5. Paranoid Park (2007)

6. Gleaming the Cube (1989)

1. Lords of Dogtown (2005)

Lords of Dogtown is a memorable skateboarding movie based on a real-life story. The film follows the development of the skateboarding culture and its personalities. We meet four young boys in the 1970s, living in California, who hang out together and skateboard.

The movie touches on the innocence of the young at heart, living free without the burdens of adulthood.

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke cut her teeth, helming this iconic movie about skateboarding. The late Heath Ledger shines under her direction as Skip, the owner of a surfboard and skateboard shop. The kids look up to him because he’s the oldest and knows more about surfing and skateboarding than anyone in the area. Skip is also wild and crazy, making his scenes enjoyable.

During a Director’s Cut podcast, Hardwicke talked about using skateboard fans as the background for the competition scene. She was amazed by their enthusiasm for the extreme sport, which was so genuine.

What is Dogtown in Santa Monica?

In the movie, these young skateboarders eat, sleep, breathe and live skateboarding.

The boys hang out with other skateboarders and surfers at the famous Dogtown in Santa Monica — a coffee, breakfast, and lunch spot. Here, American skateboard and surfing nostalgia percolates, keeping the traditions alive.

It’s all about skateboarding in empty pools.

Empty Swimming Pools

The young, blonde-haired boys with their vans, sneakers and boards ride their skateboards throughout Santa Monica. They want something more from their skateboarding- empty swimming pools- a higher purpose in life.

One boy discovers a dried-up, abandoned swimming pool.

Empty swimming pools become the next wave of skateboarding. The four boys search the neighborhoods for every abandoned pool to conquer and skate.

The young boys skate the empty pools with the drive to find a bigger and challenging cement hole. They glide on their boards to wild parties, pick up cute, tanned girls, and await the next step toward their higher purpose.

2. Thrashin (1986)

Directed by David Winters, this 1986 movie follows how some Valley boys deal with punk rockers. Billed as a teenage adventure, Thrashers received 72% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The skateboarders called “The Ramp Locals” use their skateboards against the punk rockers. Corey Webster, played by a young Josh Brolin, leads the group, while the street punks follow Tommy Hook, played by Robert Rusler.

The difficulty begins when Corey falls in love with Tommy’s little sister, played by Pamela Gidley, who is visiting from Indiana. It builds during the severe “LA Massacre,” a 20-mile downhill skateboarding race, like all gang conflicts. The prize is a corporate sponsor.

The best scene for any skateboard fan is the final race. A camera is strapped to the front of a skateboard, creating in your seat thrills as an exhilarating sense of the gallant “thrashers” — hence the movie’s title.

3. Mid90s (2018)

Mid90s follows Stevie, a thirteen-year-old living in 90s-era Los Angeles. He spends his summer navigating between his troubled home life with his brother and a group of new friends he hangs out with at a local skate shop.

Jonah Hill wrote and directed this film. We know him for his acting talent in 21 & 22 Jump Street and Money Ball.

The coming-of-age movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Hill received a standing ovation.

4. Skate Kitchen (2018)

Crystal Moselle directs Skate Kitchen. The movie focuses on Camille, played by Rachelle Vinberg. She skateboards but is introverted, so she keeps to herself. She hooks up with an all-girl skateboarding group after cutting ties with her mother. She becomes friends with the girls and develops confidence.

She also meets Devon, played by Jaden Smith, a skateboarder who isn’t as he seems. As the story unfolds, Camille learns about true friendship and self-discovery.

What is so remarkable about this skateboarding movie is that it is about a teenage group of girls who skateboard together, compared to Lords of Dogtown, which is about all boys. The only girls in the cult movie are cute and suntanned, lacking depth and intelligence.

The girl’s group is called Skate Kitchen. They are talented and outgoing, and being cute or suntanned is the least of their concerns.

An all-girl skateboard group is about self-discovery and friendship.

5. Paranoid Park (2007)

Another skateboard movie that caught my eye is Paranoid Park, directed by Gus Van Sant, based on the book by Blake Nelson. The popular book makes it to the silver screen smoothly with an entertaining appeal.

In the story, we meet a teenage skateboarder named Alex, played by Gabe Nevins, a withdrawn 16-year-old boy who has recently discovered Paranoid Park — a massive skate park in Portland, Oregon. The Portland unruly skateboarders built Paranoid Park to create a place to cruise the concrete without being constantly harassed by the cops.

Alex hooks up with another skateboarder at the park, quickly becoming friends. His new friend is known for being an anarchist at the park. But that doesn’t stop Alex from being his friend because he feels he needs more drama to forget about his troubles back home.

The theme is there are consequences to your actions.

Making the Right Choices

Making the right choices defines the story in the movie. Alex and his new friend take a wild shot and hop on a train. A security guard sees them and chases after them. But tragedy falls upon the two teens when the security guard gets killed because he pursued them, and they are angsty over the consequences of their youthful waywardness.

Alex doubts he can convince anyone of what happened that night. Who would believe him if he told the truth? The local authorities investigate the death while troubled Alex expresses himself in a journal. We get to experience his hardship and personal pain, wearing the same shoes as an adolescent boy who only sought to escape from the troubles of home and the concept of mortality.

6. Gleaming the Cube (1989)

Gleaming the Cube is a coming-of-age movie. The action-drama stars a young Christian Slater playing a skateboarder named Brian. Brian’s adopted brother disappeared, and the authorities found him dead. The police say it’s a homicide, but Brian doesn’t believe it.

Brian skateboards around the city, searching for answers about how his brother died. He investigates and discovers that his brother works in a shop that sends weapons to Vietnam.

Gobots: 1984 Saturday Morning Cartoons and Toys

children, classic, episodic, fantasy, science fiction, television, , ,

The 1984 animated cartoon series stood the test of time, with die-hard fans appreciating the talking machines.

Gobots

Gobots Look Like Transformers

Gobots fans are out there, and I am excited to share Challenge of the Gobots: The Original Mini-Series with fellow fans. The 1984 animated cartoon has stood the test of time with those who appreciate the cartoon look of talking machines.

Challenge of the Gobots: The Original Mini-Series is the original five-episode mini-series. The 80s cartoon in the DVD package offers eternal life to the Gobots. Any Gobots enthusiast treasures the opportunity to watch action cartoons.

The DVDs are few and far between, but worth the find because the stories are entertaining when cartoon quality may get you down.

As you watch the Renegades follow Cy-kill when they embark on their mad quest to conquer the galaxy, starting with Earth, only Leader-1 and his Guardians can stop the Renegades and Cy-Kill.

Leader-1 is the hero, and his band of Guardians is all set for the task of saving the universe.

Leader-1 is a Legend

Back in the 80s, the question all the kids asked every Saturday morning while they played with their Gobots toys and watched the Gobots cartoons was, “Can Leader-1 and the Guardians save the true last Engineer?”

Watching now, you see the poor quality of the cartoons. Somehow, the kids were fascinated by the stories and facial expressions, and they sat in front of the television every Saturday morning for one year, watching 65 episodes, each lasting 22 minutes.

It reminds me of the good old days on Saturday mornings when you could watch mediocre cartoons in your pajamas, and it was still a cool thing to do while the parents slept. Just think, kids, watching the Gobots, never thought about how Leader-1 is a legend. But he is because this mini-series launched him as a legend. He is far better than any Transformer.

The story of the Gobots portrayed in the series “Challenge of the GoBots” and the follow-up film “GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords” mentions the alternative universe.

Transformers

Those who are not familiar with Gobots should know they are not robots. They are aliens that need your support more than anything right now. Tonka brought them into existence in the 1980s, but now, they are non-existent. They are a collector’s item and sell for a pretty penny on eBay.

Gobots are far superior to the Transformers because Hasbro bought Gobots in the early 1990s. Leader-1 and Bugbite are some of the Gobots’ names given to Transformers. That means the Gobots came before the Transformers. They saved Earth before the Transformers.

Seeing “Gobots” instead of “Transformers” in the movie marques is the only way they could have survived. I am sure it was a copyright issue. The two entities were so similar that they competed for attention. Transformers won out in the long run.

The Gobots toys fashioned the robot phenomenon that grabbed the kids’ attention for a brief time in 1984.

Who Owns Gobots?

The Gobots and the Transformers looked a lot like each other. Both competed as franchises until Hasbro purchased the intellectual property – the invention or idea, not the toys – when they bought out Tonka in 1991. Gobots became part of the alternative universe of the Transformers franchise.

Hasbro never purchased the Gobot toys or likenesses. The company owned the fictional aspect of the property. Bandai, a Japanese company, initially owned the toys, and Tonka never acquired them.

“You’re bluffing, Cy-Kill. You wouldn’t dare shoot with the Last Engineer, and we won’t give him to you.”

Gobot Children’s Books With Illustrations

Two books about the Gobots in 1984, authored by Robin Snyder and illustrated by Steve Ditko, War of the Gobots and Gobots on Earth, told the backstory of the talking machines.

The first book tells the story of the Guardian battling with the Renegade GoBots. The war comes to Earth after the Renegades disturb a space shuttle mission. The story is comparable to the Transformers because they fight on Earth frequently. The second book is not as good, but kids found both books entertaining. Today, they are out of print and hard to find.

Where to Find Gobot DVDs?

The Gobot products sold well. Then they phased out when the Transformers took over the scene. Hasbro created personalities for each of the Transformers with character profiles, unlike the Gobots.

Gobots came across as simple machines that looked like their names, such as Tank and Dozer. Transformers arrived as complex machines with names like Megatron and Optimus Prime.

Even though the Gobot books are hard to find, Amazon offers DVDs, coloring books, and games. The collector items go fast, and it’s a hit or miss on Amazon.