Latest / How Have You Not Seen This? / Episode 6: The Karate Kid
Transcript
- Leslye: I wasn't bullied because I was too weird, I think. People were just like Miriam: Wait, you weren't bullied because you were too weird or you were bullied because you were too weird? Leslye: I think I was too weird. I think I was like Ali Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: Sheedy in the Breakfast Club where people were like, let's not even go there. we're not sure what she's gonna do. Now, you guys knew me in high school, but you Miriam: Ha ha ha Leslye: only knew me for like the last two, and you guys were friends with me, like you shielded me from other people coming after my weirdness. I mean, I was weird. I mean, I'm weird now, Kate: Yeah. Miriam: yeah. everybody was like, Who's that girl? in the Lisa Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: Lobe glasses. Kate: Yeah. Miriam: And I was like, Yeah, who's that girl? She seems cool And then we're like, let's be friends. Leslye: No, we weren't like that. You were like that. You literally Miriam: yeah. Leslye: looked at me and you were like, Do you want to be friends? And it was like, thank God. Like, I Miriam: Ha ha. Leslye: don't even know who this person, but I just need a friend so badly. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: and then you asked me the movies, and we Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: went to see Everyone Says I Love You because that's who I was. It was Miriam: It was a different time. Leslye: a different time, and I showed up with my family, my entire family. Miriam: Your entire family. Leslye: 'Cause I didn't understand hanging out. Like I didn't understand Miriam: All Yeah, you Leslye: that. Miriam: you did not understand that a friend date that involved both parents drop off kid at movie theater, kids watch movie, maybe like walk and get a pizza, and then you're like, Mom, come pick me up. Nope, your whole family was like, Not only did you not get it, but your entire family didn't understand how it worked either. Leslye: Like in what worlds like in what world am I like, I made a friend and she wants to hang out and go to the movies? And they they're like, Well, we should all go to the movies and meet this Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: friend Miriam: also funny because they were like, You can't see that movie without us Leslye: Exactly. Yeah. They were like, well, we want to see that. We were gonna see it all together, you know, some probably something like Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: that. So anyway, that's my childhood. Miriam: Explains a lot. Leslye: this Welcome to How Have You Not Seen This, a podcast about crimes against cinema, where one of the three of us confesses there is an iconic movie we have never seen, and the other two ask the only logical question, how have you not seen this? I'm Leslye Miriam: I'm Miriam. Kate: And I'm Kate. Leslye: The format is simple. There's a confession, an interrogation, atonement, and absolution. At the end of all of this, we'll ask the pivotal question, can we still be friends? Miriam: Leslye what movie have you never seen? Leslye: I have never seen The Karate Kid Miriam: What? Kate: Just to what were you doing? What were you watching? Miriam: What what? Kate: What did you talk about at school with the other kids? Leslye: Well, you guys know my upbringing. We've talked about it before. We've talked Miriam: Mm, that's true. Leslye: about I was brought up by for lack of a better word, snobby parents. Miriam: Movie snobs. Leslye: I think they were snobby. Well, who else who else shows their kid Woody Allen movies? who shows them not just musicals, but like The Bandwagon? You know, like it's just the Miriam: The Bandwagon Classic Headland childhood movie. Yeah. But Leslye: Great movie. Yeah. Yeah. Miriam: snobby about nothing but movies. Very down to earth otherwise. Yeah. Yeah. Leslye: Yes, no, no, everything else, I would agree. So I think media they were very gatekeepy about. Like I Miriam: Mm. Leslye: was just thinking the other day, how difficult it was to get them to buy me the New Kids on the Block cassette tape. Finally Miriam: Did they did they buy it? Wow. Leslye: They did. I I literally like cried. I cried. And one of my arguments Miriam: Well I Leslye: was that I was like, everybody else. has it. I have nothing to talk about with them. It is now embarrassing. Now this didn't happen to me with The Karate Kid even as a young person, I was like, that looks dumb. Miriam: Talk about a movie snob. Leslye: Yeah. Well it does. It looks dumb. don't know when this came out, Miriam: Nineteen eighty four. Leslye: so this 1984. Okay. I'm sure I brought it over and was like, can we rent this movie? And my dad, my dad would be like, what about Woman Under the Influence Like, Miriam: Ha ha Leslye: What about Bridge on the River Kwai? You know, and I'd be like, Miriam: I'm not bridged on his Leslye: okay. I mean, remember you guys I saw REDS Do you remember you guys remember this? Like, my God. Miriam: yeah, yeah. I Kate: yeah. Leslye: Like I tried to push that on everybody. I made you guys watch that, didn't I? Miriam: I know. Yeah, well you definitely talked about a lot. Well Yeah. flash Yeah, what fift Kate: Hm, you talked about it for a very long time. you definitely tried to make us watch it. I don't think you succeeded. Leslye: Okay. Okay. Miriam: what fift a fifteen year old girl that's like, have you guys seen REDS Leslye: Two Miriam: Classic. Kate: I'm pretty sure you got outvoted at Blockbuster. Miriam: So what do you know about this movie? Leslye: I thought that I know that Ralph Macchio Miriam: Macchio? Leslye: is that his name? I know that he's in it, and the reason I know that is because I don't like him. For some reason, for some reason. Kate: Well, you've never seen his best work. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: Well, true, true, true, true. But like he just kind of annoys me as like a human. Like Miriam: Based on what? Leslye: Well, pop culture, but then also My Cousin Vinny I was like, this guy is so he's just such a nothing burger to me that I was like, okay. if I had to guess, the white kids are beating up on the white kid, and then the main white kid is like I wish there was a way to stop making these kids beat up on me, And I guess bullying sucks though. That would really suck. So anyway, that's why I didn't see the Karate Kid. Miriam: Do you know of anyone else in this movie besides Ralph Macchio? Leslye: I do know the guy. I know his name is like Pat something. I know his first name's Pat. so he's Kate: What do you mean the guy? Leslye: okay, so this is like now I don't Miriam: Sensei? Leslye: know his ethnicity, but he's an Asian, presumably guy who's like, hey, I'm gonna teach you karate. But you know, it's like Rocky for children. That's what I'm assuming it is. I'm assuming it's Rocky for children. and then I know wax on, wax off, something like that. Kate: Yeah, of course. Leslye: Anyway, I missed it as a kid. So at what moment do you sit down and be like, I'm gonna watch Karate Kid? Like this is the moment. No. Kate: This moment. This is the moment. Yeah. Yeah. Miriam: Yeah. Yeah. But I d I think you're this is Kate: That's fair. That's fair. Miriam: the kind of movie where there's a window and like once you hit Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: like twenty five, yeah, I don't know if you're allowed to watch it anymore. Leslye: Not only do you not watch it, but you're not allowed to. Like, yeah. Miriam: You're not allowed to. You're not allowed to. Leslye: I think that's all I know about the movie. And my guess Miriam: Yeah. I really like Rocky Leslye: he like, you know, defeat it's it's Rocky. Like they have like a big fight at the end Kate: Do you think that Leslye will like it? Miriam: I Honestly, don't know, but I feel Leslye: Ha ha. Miriam: I just don't see a world in which Leslye likes this movie. I just don't see it. I I actually think, even though I would disagree, I feel like you're gonna think it's really boring. Leslye: yeah, probably. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: That makes sense. No, it makes sense 'cause like when you're a kid you're like, my god, Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: and then you're like, This is fucking for children. Miriam: I can't recall. Kate I feel like you and I took a self-defense karate class together in high school. Do you remember this? I'm Kate: Sure. Miriam: pretty sure we took a karate class together. But Leslye, have you ever taken a martial arts class? Leslye: absolutely not. No. No. Miriam: Okay. 'Cause I was like, maybe it'll hearken back to your karate days, but okay. So my vote is that you will not like it. Kate, what do you think? Kate: A mental image of little Leslye Miriam: Yeah. Kate: trying to do karate. Leslye: Ha ha ha. Miriam: No, strangely, I think Leslye. I I actually think like Leslye would love karate. Yeah. Yeah. You like karate. I honestly Kate: Actually adult Leslye. I do too. Wait, little Leslye no, but adult Leslye should sign up for karate classes. Leslye: All right. Miriam: I think I don't know why, but like I deeply feel that you would like karate, Taekwondo. Yes, I re I really Kate: Yes. Tai chi. Miriam: yes, yeah. I actually maybe something good will come out of this. Leslye: Yeah, maybe I'll get inspired. Miriam: I think so. might happen. Kate: Okay, I'm glad that we are giving you that lens with which to watch this movie with because Leslye: yeah, yeah. Kate: now I'm gonna say maybe you'll it maybe it will just surprise you enough that Miriam: Ha ha Leslye: Ha ha ha Kate: you'll become obsessed with karate. Leslye: okay. yeah. That karate will become my personality after I watch this movie. I think honestly, Miriam: Yeah. Here's hoping. Leslye: I do think I won't like it, but I also think there's a chance that I'll find it endearing. Like there's a there's a chance I'll be like cute, or I'll say, sign me up for karate. One of those two things. Miriam: All right. Well, we'll see. Let's go into the future where Leslye becomes a black belt in karate. All right, Leslye How did you feel about the nineteen eighty-four American martial arts drama, The Karate Kid? Leslye: I really liked this movie. Miriam: NOOOO Kate: Yeah. Leslye: I really liked it, you guys. Miriam: Yeah. Kate: Bonsai Leslye: I was so surprised at how much I liked it. I I really, it's so charming. It's so Miriam: I know. Leslye: it's really well done. It's well executed, it's well shot. you know, there are parts of it that are so 80s and just questionable racism, I think. but it was really great. It was really great. And I I think Miriam: And Leslye: it held up. I didn't watch it when I was younger, but while it's wildly eighties and it's the most eighties movie I think I've watched in a while. it actually felt kind of timeless. It was kind of like A movie in the fifties you're watching a movie and the time period is just the time period. it's not aping on all the like, this is the cool thing that's happening right now. I don't know if I loved it, but I really liked it. And I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Miriam: And how did you feel about Ralph Macchio? Because you were going in hot. Yeah. Leslye: yeah. So I figured out why okay, so I figured out why I don't like him and it's because he seems like a middle-aged man. So Miriam: What I know what how is that okay? Kate: I'm sorry, what? Leslye: I don't know how to describe it, but he's like one of those like younger actors who who seems old and so they're like, I'm a kid, just feels really weird to me. in Miriam: It's really funny. you felt that watching this? Leslye: My Cousin Vinny, when he's like, guys, you know, like just he's Kate: My aching back. Leslye: guys, Miriam: Well, he in this he did take a lot of beating, so that's fair that he was in pain. Leslye: You guys okay. Okay, so I knew this was gonna be about bullies. Okay, like I knew that. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: I didn't know that they were gonna try to murder him. Like they're Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: actually that was crazy. Kate: yeah. For like the first forty-five minutes of this movie, it's just him getting beat up. Leslye: Blood. Did he get run over by a car at some point? Miriam: I I said to Kate, they're savages. They try to push him off of a hill when he's on his bicycle. Savages. Leslye: Yeah. c and he does also for a twelve year old going on forty five, he is really good in this movie. And when they beat him up in the parking lot, before Miriam: Mm. Leslye: Mr. Miyagi. saves him. Like Ralph does some faces where I was like, Did he break a rib? Like it's just crazy. Miriam: I know. Leslye: Who made that decision? Miriam: I don't know. Leslye: Miriam, was it you? Miriam: I was like, when you beat him, make it look real. Sweep the leg. Kate: Also totally over my head as a kid. Like I don't think I picked up on that at all. Leslye: Yeah. Kate: I just all I remembered going into this were the karate parts which is only the second half of the movie. Like it takes a Leslye: Yeah. Kate: while to get to karate. I just didn't remember any of the pretty violent beatings that he takes. Leslye: I loved that we didn't get to karate for a while. Like I kind Miriam: Mm-hmm. Leslye: of loved it's kind of like what you were saying about Jaws or Jurassic Park. You know, there's like so much world building, and then you finally get to the karate, which is the title of the movie, like a cool 45 minutes to an hour into the movie. I loved that. It really made you fall in love with him and Mr. Miyagi. and of course, there are so many things that are so iconic that you know, I've heard in culture like wax on, wax off, and Daniel-son, and what's the other one? The crane thing. Miriam: Mm-hmm. Leslye: And then there's another one I'm forgetting. But my God, they were also earned. they were not like cheesy 80s racist things. I was like, wax on, wax off. There's a whole montage of this. what I thought was gonna happen was I thought that we were gonna get to the end of the movie, and the white kid was gonna like suddenly be amazing at karate. But the way that the movie plays out, you really earn that he's good at karate. You just totally buy that in this period of time he has done the work. to be the karate kid. Miriam: Yeah. I think it's so true. There's so many things I forgot about this movie. wait, can we just have a moment here? When did karate become such a big thing? Like, it's Leslye: Ha ha ha. Kate: Think it was. Yeah, they're like, all the cool kids are at the dojo. Like, are they? Miriam: so Was it really big? Yeah. Leslye: That was wild. Miriam: I was like, instead of being football players, they take karate. That's kind of funny. But I forgot so much about this movie. Including how heartwarming it was, you know, the relationship between Daniel and his mom is really sweet. Like the fact that this starts out with a very long road trip montage in there, yeah, like Leslye: That was so crazy, yeah. Miriam: I was like, wait, what? Am watching? I literally thought I maybe hit the wrong movie on Netflix. Like I was like, no, am I watching the wrong movie? Like they start in Newark and there's like, I was like, wait, Leslye: Forgot. Miriam: huh? Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: Chevy Malibu, and there's a great score in the background, and they're pushing the car. I actually think that the road trip and like them moving across country, and the first 20 minutes where they move into this really decrepit apartment building, and you see like the pool is empty, which is really kind of funny. Like, and they're Leslye: Yeah, I like that. Miriam: like, you know, this place is dumb. We want to go back to New Jersey. I thought that there was such a good setup of what ends up being a story about a class struggle. there's so much that we see that shows us that he's a kid who's from the wrong side of the track. I did think it was very funny. I was like, wait, did his mom move to California to work at a restaurant and leave a computer job? What? Leslye: Yeah, I Kate: Yes, yes. Miriam: I mean, whatever she's got to do. Yeah. I was like, wait, what? Kate: To be a manager in a restaurant. yeah, that's I Leslye: No, I was like, are they escaping? Like, was there a side plot that got cut? that was about like Kate: Cut. Leslye: escaping domestic abuse or something? it is funny that in a movie they were like, we're leaving Newark and moving to Reseda. now it would be like we're moving from, you know Brooklyn, New York to Santa Monica, California. it's like from one sub suburban neighborhood to another suburban neighborhood. Miriam: Yeah. I was like, Maybe look for a restaurant job, I don't know, in Queens? Leslye: In in Queens. It was so Kate: Yeah. Leslye: at some point I wrote down Elisabeth Shue in this movie is an agent of chaos. no, she's not, Miriam. She's not. Like she's pretty, she is sweet, but Miriam: she's so cute, no? Leslye: the whole movie I was like, you are just willfully putting this guy in danger. You might as well be signing his death warrant. Every time she was like, hey, what's up, Dan? I was like, no, now he's gonna get stabbed. read the room, Elisabeth Shue? You're causing so much harm to this guy. She is an agent of chaos in this movie. Miriam: Like Elizabeth Shue character Allie was also maybe in an abusive relationship with Johnny before we get here. was it's kind of weird. Also, just before we jump off the beginning, did you guys notice that the old lady is Frances Bay, who is just such a great Leslye: yes. Miriam: character actress? I feel like from the 80s. I was like, gosh, is in everything, but that was a cute scene. Yeah, me too. Leslye: Yeah. I wanted to see more of her. Yeah, it was very cute. Yeah, it was very cute. Francis Bay and Pat Morita Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: should have fallen in love. C story, you know. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: But the C story had to be Elizabeth Shue waltzing around, setting things on fire. Kate: the first half of this movie though to me was like, This is one hundred percent why they used to have those PSAs that came on that said it's ten PM do you know where your children are? I was like, Leslye: totally. Kate: she wasn't the only agent of chaos. I was like, does nobody's parents checked in here? It just sounded Leslye: Wait, that's so true. Kate: so wildly different. concept of parenting from the eighties where they're like, We'll be fine. Leslye: And they're all they're all on the beach wearing sweaters. You know, you're like, what Kate: Yep. Yep. Leslye: is going? And and they're all on bikes and cars and you know, they're just like fucking around until like two in the morning or whatever it is. Miriam: That's just being a young. Kate: Daniel's driving without a license. I Leslye: driving without the license? Yeah. Kate: yeah, Mr. Miyagi gives him booze. Like it's just everything about this Leslye: true, yeah. Yeah. Kate: those Leslye: everyone's a criminal in this movie. Miriam: Wait, this is bullshit. Revisionist history. You two are like, my god, these kids are doing such bad things. it was the 80s. We lived in the 90s. Yeah, like Kate: No, that's what I mean. That's what I'm saying. I don't think Leslye: That's what Kate is saying. That's what she's saying. Kate: like you if you if like Disney came in and made this movie today, that is not happening. Leslye: No. Miriam: Okay, you're lovingly looking at all this teenage chaos. Okay, all right, just making sure, just making sure. Kate: yeah, I love it. I'm just like I'm like I can you believe Leslye: yes. Yeah. Kate: that that this Leslye: Yeah. Kate: used to be how it was and it was, yeah. Yeah. Miriam: I know, right. Okay, I love that. I also Matt was really into the kid that was wearing the makin' bacon shirt. There was this like right at the beginning Leslye: What? Miriam: when he meets his like quote unquote new friend, like the Kate: the neighbor friend? Miriam: neighbor friend is wearing a shirt of two pigs having sex and it just says making bacon. Leslye: Okay, I missed this. Miriam: Well, Matt Kate: Yeah. Miriam: would never miss something like that. So making making. Like that's a t shirt. Leslye: Yeah. Making bacon. Okay, first first person who finds that has to buy three of and get them all sent to us. Miriam: I do love that beach scene with the crazy motorbikes on the beach. But at first I'm like, this is so Grease you know, it's like summer lovin' at the beach. Leslye: Yes, it did have yeah, Kate: Mm-hmm. Leslye: it had like a Grease That's why I texted you guys like when you texted this is the most eighties movie ever or something, and I wrote it's so 80s, it's fifties it felt like out Kate: A hundred percent. Leslye: the car that Mr. Miyagi gives him at the Miriam: yeah. Leslye: end. so fifties, it's the 30-year nostalgia cycle. it was very Grease, it was very American Graffiti. nobody knows where their kids are. Miriam: Yeah. I want to state for the record that Johnny and these kids are such assholes. Like I said, they're savages, they're assholes. He Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: runs over a boom box. Leslye: right. Why? Miriam: Like, there's such punks. Leslye: not to skip ahead, but at the end of the movie they're like, Cut his leg off, you know? And I'm like, Wait, what? Like why? Take him out. Finish him. that's Kate: Yeah. Take out, yeah. Miriam: Yeah. yeah. Yeah. Leslye: I was gonna ask you guys, this came before Mortal Kombat, I'm assuming. finish him is the thing that they say. Yeah. Kate: Mortal Kombat, yeah. Leslye: I was so bad at Mortal Kombat. It made me so sad. I wanted to be good. Miriam: Yeah. Kate, are you fact Kate: Yeah, Mortal Kombat was nineteen ninety two, that's much later than I thought Miriam: So they must have stolen that from here. also the sensei the dojo guy he is such a fake Patrick Swayze, am I right? Yes, yes, actually that's that might be better. That might be better. Leslye: Ha ha he's a fake. He's a he's a he's a fake Val Kilmer too. Yeah. Yeah. No, it's like he they got Kate: yes, yeah, yeah. Leslye: they offered it to those guys. They were like, no. They got this dude. I did Miriam: Yes. Leslye: think that everybody, in Cobra Kai they were all Nazi youth. Like they Miriam: yeah. Leslye: were all blonde-haired, blue-eyed, you know. psychopaths. There was a part where they're all in the dojo, when Miyagi and Daniel go to see them. There was a part where they all went from like like sitting to completely standing in two seconds. I was like, how did anybody do that with their body ever? Like it was Miriam: I know. Leslye: really impressive, some of those kids. Like, they must have like scouted dojos. Miriam: Or they did just extensive training. it's so funny you say that they're Nazi youth Leslye: Extensive training. Miriam: extensive training. They've rehearsed for months. It's funny you say that because there was one kid in it who clearly had the worst blonde dye job I've like seen in a while. Yes. Where Kate: yes. Miriam: he like they they just poorly dyed his hair and then his eyebrows. Yeah. Yeah. Kate: They're like, no, everyone needs to be blonde. Miriam: I was like, ooh. But Leslye: They it was so great and like Mr. Miyagi is an angel from heaven. Miriam: I know. Leslye: he's perfect. I'm not at all surprised that Marita was nominated for an Oscar. That just means there's justice in the world. I'm just sad he didn't Miriam: Yeah. Yeah. Leslye: win. I don't know who did, but Kate: I was surprised. not that he did a bad job, but it just never occurred to me that this movie would have an Oscar nomination. Leslye: yeah, that's true. Miriam: I No, I think this movie was like a sleeper hit. And there is like depth to the movie that I think we're saying we did not expect, you know? Like Kate: There's more depth Yeah, that the drunk scene about his dead wife, Miriam: Yeah. Kate: that was I don't remember that from being a kid either. But that really had a lot more depth to it than I expected. Leslye: That's the thing too. there were definitely cliched parts of it, right? Like it's like, his wife and his like newborn child died. that's so cliche. Kate: But in an internment camp. Miriam: Yeah, is that cliched? I agree with Kate. Yeah, yes, yeah. See, Kate and I Yeah, so like that Leslye: Wait, it was in an internment camp? Whoa! Kate: Yeah. Yes, they were in a Japanese internment camp. Yeah. Miriam: I completely agree. I totally forgot about that entire scene. there's something interesting about how he is slowly gets Daniel to redo a lot of his house. But there's something like really interesting about how he's taken this like very classic from the exterior, Southern California home. And he's really meticulously like made it more in the Japanese style. Like I like that a lot. But then Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: yeah, that scene really like blew my mind where he's like it's like the anniversary of his wife's death. And there's again, like, you know, just so many movies where we talk about how like there's so much exposition. I felt like this movie really did a great job of just showing us what was happening. Like that Leslye: Agreed. Miriam: in that scene, he has a box where he has all these like treasures that belong to his wife. And there's the newspaper on the table and also the telegram where he learns that his wife was in an internment camp. He was fighting for the Americans in World War II. Leslye: Americans, yeah. Miriam: She dies in childbirth, probably because she's in the internment camp. that scene was was heavy. Yeah. Leslye: You guys, that's crazy. I not that it isn't Kate: Yeah. Leslye: tragic, like anyway. I just mean that having that as a backstory to like Miriam: Hm. Leslye: a grumpy old man, like Kate: To the Karate Kid. Leslye: that's like just a quick way to be like, this guy's suffering inside. it's like the term fridging where the girlfriend or the wife is killed so that you relate more Miriam: Hm. Leslye: with a male protagonist. and that that's their Kate: I'm sorry, fridging. That's a term. Leslye: Yeah, it's a real term. Yeah. Yeah. It's called fridging. a woman Kate: what is wrong with people? Leslye: I did not catch that, you guys. I don't know how I missed Miriam: Yeah, don't feel too bad. Leslye: That's fucked up. Miriam: I think I saw it like a hundred times as a kid and this is the first time I was like, Wait, what? Kate: It definitely the first Leslye: Ha ha ha. Kate: time that clicked. Yeah. Miriam: Ha ha ha. Leslye: He he was incredible. I feel like Oprah in that meme. He is my father, he is my best friend, he is my mentor, Miriam: Ha ha ha Leslye: he is my lover. I cannot believe how good he is in this movie. this is a great example of one of those movies it's like so many other movies have ripped it off that when Kate: Mm-hmm. Leslye: you watch the first movie, the first version of it, you're like, this is astonishing. This is why everybody ripped this off. But because I only knew like the copies of the copies, I assumed that. Karate kid was like that. I just loved when he was like, okay, I'm gonna teach you karate, wax Miriam: Mm-hmm. Leslye: on, wax off, you know, paint the fence, do the things. What I loved is that Ralph Macchio, Macchio, Machiavelli, Maccacino, Miriam: Mm-hmm. Daniel Son. Leslye: whatever, Daniel-son. one thing that I loved is that he really didn't complain. Like there wasn't like Miriam: I know. Leslye: a scene where he was like, This old man is funky man. Like Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: he was just like, go do this thing. And he was like, okay. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: And it's only like well, he we knew it was gonna happen. Like we knew, yeah. But I just mean like I think in an it Kate: He does have that one point where he's like, What was the point of this? And he's like then he explains why. Yeah. But you to your point, he he's not bitching about it the whole time. Miriam: Yeah. Yeah. Leslye: Thank you. Yeah, that's what I meant. Same. Same. Miriam: And I would have complained so much if you made me wax all your cars, all horrible tasks by the way, sanding all the whole walkway, painting Leslye: I just awful. Miriam: the whole house, I would have complained. Leslye: I think I bought that at the end he really would know karate in a short amount of time. Also it was so much better than Kill Bill, Like Kill Bill's amazing, but you know that part where she has a sensei and he just like treats her like shit for like 17 years and then she becomes Miriam: yeah, and she has to walk up the stairs. Leslye: Yeah, I just liked that he was kind of both. He was very strict and like, don't fuck around, but also was like, I love you. Like he gave him a car, which I could not believe. Miriam: Yeah. He gave him a car. he gave him his wife's I don't know, crochet. No, no. he gave him that beautiful crochet Leslye: The crocheted car. Yeah, the crocheted car. Miriam: What's the karate what's the Kate: the jacket he puts on. I don't know the name of it. Miriam: karate outfit Leslye: Wait, that was from his wife? Kate: So you're asking the two of She did the embroidery. Where were you for the heartwarming parts? Miriam: he yes, Leslye she had embroidered Leslye: Okay. Miriam: a patch of the bonsai tree and then he gave it to him on his karate outfit. beautiful. Leslye: I also loved when he got his leg cut off or whatever it was happening at the end of the sweep the leg. Miriam: Sweep the leg. Sweep the leg. Leslye: That was crazy. I was like, you're an adult. What's the what's Miriam: Mm. Leslye: the point here? is it just that your business is gonna go under because one kid learned karate, not from you? Like it's just so crazy. But Miriam: The point is to win. Leslye: I loved when he asks. Mr. Miyagi, will you fix my leg? And he's like, Miriam: Mm-hmm. Leslye: there won't be any peace because I'll be thinking about it still or they'll still be coming after me or or whatever it was. It was so it was really Miriam: Yeah. He needs balance. Leslye: balanced. That's what it was. I cannot believe I missed this stuff with the wife. I think I just wasn't paying attention. Miriam: Ha ha ha. Leslye: at those parts. Cause again, I kind of tuned those parts out because I again with the fridging, Miriam: Mm. Leslye: I was like, they're using this dead wife to like make me feel sad for him. And I don't like that. That's like a part of this movie I don't like. Like Elizabeth Shue. I really have a problem with her in this movie. Kate: Okay, but can we give Elizabeth Shue props for pulling off an outfit that is a hoodie over long sleeve shirt with the arms cut Miriam: Yeah. Yeah. Kate: off of the hoodie? I mean, that's impressive. Leslye: you are correct that no one quite did fashion like Elizabeth Shue You're right. Yeah. Yeah. Kate: She was really teenage queen of the eighties, yeah. Miriam: yeah. yeah, the end where she has her sweater vest and her like mini skirt and the socks pulled up. I love the scene where the tournament ends and everybody runs forward. Like that is like seared Leslye: that was great. Yeah. Miriam: onto my brain. But the costuming is really good in this. it really felt like, whoever the the costume stylist or wardrobe stylist was like I'm just gonna go around and like find some stuff because at one point Daniel is wearing these crazy camouflage pants that were just like perfect. Leslye: It's really, it's true. It's true. again, like the way it was shot too was really excellent. it it Miriam: Yeah, it was beautiful. Yeah. Leslye: was it well done. now I feel like movies are either really sloppy, like sloppily shot, or they're like overly thought out. And I love this is just like meat and potatoes directing. it looks great, Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: the performances are great. we don't have to freak out every two seconds about how cool a shot is. when his mom and him are talking in the restaurant and the karate school is in the background and the kids are going back and forth, like, great shot. It's just not super Miriam: Mm. Leslye: showy. It's just telling you the story about what's going on Kate: there's a lot about this movie that's not cool, which kind of makes it cool then, you know, like Miriam: Mm. That's it. That's it. Leslye: Yes. Kate: Mary, I think you put it where we were like, was karate a big deal back then? Miriam: Ha ha. Kate: But even things like like I loved that he went as a shower to the Halloween dance. It was so great. Like what a dorky Miriam: I guys, I Leslye: I th I forgot about that. Yes, yeah. Yeah. Miriam: Well I Kate: costume. But then he gets the girl in the shower with him and it's such this cute Miriam: Ha ha ha Leslye: It's smart. Kate: thing. I I just loved it. Miriam: And I do love that Mr. Miyagi forces him to go I think he says something to him like a bee needs to pollinate, or he says something where he's like you need to go and like meet up with this girl. But I wanted to give a moment to that amazing Halloween scene. Like the shower is great. I think maybe she's Princess Leia. I couldn't really tell. but Leslye: Again, I was like, get out of here before he dies. Like you she was dressed up as the angel of death. That's what she was. Kate: Just like she's just Miriam: Yeah. Like Yeah. Kate: Ha ha ha ha. Miriam: Definitely there were moments where I get why Daniel's like, you know, maybe we shouldn't do this because I don't want to die. the s come in the shower. Yeah. They're cute. They're like when Kate: But also come in my shower. Come right in. Leslye: Mm-hmm. That sounded crazy. But also come in my shower. Miriam: I did Kate: That sounded dirtier. Miriam: Wait, Kate: I just I did not intend that wasn't the intended that wasn't what I intended, but yeah. Leslye: Of course it wasn't. Of course it wasn't. Miriam: I did write down the quote where he says, Young bee needs flower, not old prune. Like, stop hanging out with me. Go go get your girl. He's so great. But also yeah. Leslye: Yeah, I go get your girl. I loved at the ending where he didn't run out. I loved that. I loved that he didn't run out at the end and he just stood there, and that was actually the last shot of the movie was him just like looking at him and being like, Miriam: yeah, where he's just s yeah. Yeah, I agree. Kate: he stands, yeah. Leslye: Proud of you, you fucking weirdo. Yeah. it's not random. He's the he's the lead of the movie as far as I'm concerned. Miriam: Yeah, so eighties though. So eighties to end on such a random shot. And yeah. I mean it's it's great, it's great, but no, totally. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. We don't need to know what happened. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Kate: But also just to end. Like no post script, no anything like nope, dude won we're out. End of story. Yeah. Leslye: Loved it. Loved it. We don't need it. We we don't need it. I don't need to know what happened. I know what happened. He, you know, finishes high school. Miriam: All those kids go to jail. But wait. Leslye: All those Miriam: But also, going back to the costuming, how scary were those skeleton costumes? Like I was so scared for I was Kate: that's creepy. Miriam: so scared for him when Leslye: Yeah, yeah. Miriam: they were very simple costumes, but I felt like they were terrifying. Like the makeup is terrifying, you know, and when yeah, but and but I Leslye: Yeah, they were that was not fun for me. Yeah. I'm glad I didn't see it as a kid for stuff like that. I think if I'd seen it as a kid and he was relentlessly bullied to the point of like massive injuries, I think I Miriam: Mm. Leslye: would have been like honestly too stressed out by the movie. Miriam: Yeah. when I saw it when I was little, like you're always like so stressed out. Like I don't want him to get hurt because you love him. and the thing that I do love about the Daniel character is that he doesn't fully give up. Like he's down, he's tired of getting beaten up, he's sad when his bike gets destroyed, and he's like, girl, we can't talk anymore. But then like he has a twinkle in his eye where he's like Leslye: I can't. Miriam: I'm not fully out. And he goes and He soaks Johnny in the skeleton costume. And then perhaps Leslye: L I love that. Miriam: the best part of the movie is when the guy is dressed as Spider-Man. and he's like, hey, what's up, Johnny? And he's like dressed as the Spider-Man with the too small Spider-Man costume. One of my favorite parts. But I just I love that Daniel doesn't fully like lay down and die. Like, you know, even he's like, I will do Leslye: No y yeah. Miriam: this all valley karate championship. He's like, All right. He's like, I might get killed, but Leslye: Yeah. Yeah. I I just I hesitate to say loved it because it is, cheesy. and it's very 80s and it's so well done and well made, but it isn't super flashy, but It's so heartwarming and it's so touching. And Pat Morita Kate: If you don't love him, this doesn't work. Leslye: It doesn't work. Kate: And I think he makes everyone fall in love with him in this movie. Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: it's what we were saying about Morgan Freeman and Shawshank. It's just like you Miriam: Mm. Leslye: guys are lucky you got Morgan Freeman because the movie is Miriam: Mm-hmm. Leslye: nothing without him. I just there's so many I am I gonna start crying? Like wait a minute. Miriam: and he's also so funny. Like he's really are you okay? He's so funny. He does this Leslye: Hold on He's so funny. He's so funny. Yeah. Miriam: really good line deliveries and he he's funny. Like you feel like they're best friends, which is great. And there's also a scene where Is it okay? Is this a brown people thing? Because when I saw him in his undershirt, you know, and he's like, do I forget what he's doing, I was like, this reminds me of my dad. 100% my dad, my grandpa. Like this is so sweet. Yeah. Leslye: Yes. Yeah. No, I think it's everybody's dad if you grew up in the 80s. Like genuinely, it was so great. there were so many tiny moments that just absolutely were sparkling. I loved when he was signing up for the tournament and the guy was like, What belt are you? And he was like, and Mr. Miyagi was like, Why does that matter? Like he truly was like, and Miriam: Yeah, yeah. Leslye: it wasn't, he was just like, What is this cultural appropriation nonsense what is the belt thing? Like, what's that? And Miriam: yeah. Right. Leslye: he knows what it is and I don't know what the lineage of it is, but he just sort of blows up this like American cultural concept of karate. Miriam: Yes. Leslye: And he's like, he's a black belt. Like I did that to He's like, What are the Miriam: Yeah, he's Whatever what are the belts? Leslye: belts? And he's like, Well black belt and he's like, Great, he's that one. Miriam: I think that they do that well where they contrast it where it's like Mr. Miyagi is actually teaching him karate and that it's more about like self defense and balance, then it's about winning and beating people and belts. Like he Leslye: Yes, yeah. Miriam: I think that they set that difference up really well, which I think is great. it it really makes it feel like a more meaningful movie than just like, you know, Street Fighter, you know, Leslye: it was so much more respectful to karate than I thought Miriam: Mm-hmm. Leslye: it was gonna be. I just thought it was gonna be one of those silly movies where, you know, an old Asian guy is like, you don't have discipline. and then I'm gonna kick you in the face or something. But Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: he was like, Yes, I'm gonna teach you karate. Karate means open hand and no problem, I'll teach you karate. wax my car. And then Ralph Miriam: Ha ha ha Kate: Ha ha. Leslye: Macchio is like, no problem. He just doesn't even ask about it. He's like, Yep, Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: okay, great. I also this is a small thing, but I liked when he said Mr. Miagi, because that's such Italian way to say Miyagi. Miriam: Yeah. Kate: Yeah, I'm saying I Miriam: I loved it. Leslye: It's like a good little tiny moment. Miriam: I like that he's like lesson one, Mr. Miyagi. Like, come on. Say my name right. Leslye: Yeah, first of all, say my fucking name right, you dumb kid. listen, I'm grateful for this podcast because I never would have watched that movie. Not in a million Miriam: Well now, yeah. Leslye: years. I mean, maybe with my kid. Maybe. I'm definitely gonna show it to her. When she's older, 100% I'm Miriam: Mm, show it to her. Leslye: gonna show her that movie. And she's gonna be like, it's gonna be like the Wizard of Oz, like it was made in the 1930s. She's gonna be like, what is this? Miriam: Yeah, yeah. Maybe not now. Don't show it to her now. I feel like the skeletons would be scary. Leslye: No, no, I'm gonna show when she's older, when she's like, I feel like ten years old. Yeah. Yeah. I'll be like, let's watch the Karate Kid. Kate: Yeah, ten. Ten sounds good. Yeah. Miriam: Okay. That was that was it. Yeah. But I j I also I also didn't remember there's like a scene where these kind of hick white guys are also being racist to Mr. Miyagi, and he does the karate chop on the bottles, on the beer bottles, and they're like Kate: The beer bottles off the car. Leslye: yeah, I loved that. Yes. Kate: Yeah. Miriam: They're like, whoa, and Daniel's like, I can't believe you did that. And he's like, first time I ever did that, but I'm like, go for it. Like, I just think the humor is so great. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's like an amazing nineteen fifties car, yeah. Kate: And then he lets the unlicensed teenager drive his car home. Yeah, eighties. Leslye: And then he and then Daniel gets the fly that we've seen him trying to get the whole time. That was really good. Miriam: Yes! that was hilarious. Yeah. Kate: The fly with the chopsticks. that was so good. Miriam: Like I I gotta watch a behind the scenes because I wonder what the origin of that was because that was a very specific detail that he keeps trying to use chopsticks to catch a fly. He's been doing it forever, and then Daniel just does it right away. It was really fun. I mean I guess that's what it is. it's a very specific script, I think that really helps make it more than just like a Teenagers fighting in the street thing. Yeah. Leslye: Yes, yeah, yeah. And it again, his performance is Heartwarming. That's all I can think to say. Miriam: Heartwarming. Yeah. what did you think, Leslye of the crane kick? Were you into that? Leslye: that's famous. Miriam: Did you see it coming? Leslye: Yes, I did see it coming. I thought it was fine that's a thing that's kind of been spoiled by pop culture. Because Miriam: Yeah. Leslye: I think if I were watching it and didn't know that that was gonna happen, I think like when he did it at the tournament, I would have like straight up been crying. I'm so happy I watched this movie, you guys. It was great. Miriam: Great to see you. Yeah, Kate, what Leslye: And you guys liked it just as much this time? Kate: I thought it was so fun. I really did not remember any of the parts of it that are any deeper level than learning karate. so I think I was pleasantly surprised that that was in there. I think it just took me back. And I like Leslye: Yeah. Kate: that the eighties movies that we've been watching have this grit to them, It's a little bit like life isn't always shiny and perfect, right? There's these little hard spots. And I really enjoyed it and I was kind of surprised. And The whole time I was watching it, I just kept thinking Les that you're either gonna love this, and if you had seen it as a kid, it would have become your entire personality. Like you would have been at karate every day. You would be a black belt now. Leslye: Absolutely. Yeah. I would be a black belt now if I'd seen that movie. Yeah. Miriam: huh. Classic. Yes you would. Yes you would. Kate: But You never know if rewatching something as an adult or watching it for the first time if it's gonna hit you know the way it does Leslye: Yeah. Kate: versus like I remember these moments because as a kid we would stand around and do the crane thing, Miriam: Yeah. Kate: right? Like reenact that stuff and Leslye: wait, that's really cute. Yeah. Miriam: Yeah. I tried to do Kate: yeah. Miriam: it after I watched it this time. I could get my leg up in the first position, but the kick not so much. Kate: Ha ha. Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: My husband was like, please don't try. I don't Leslye: Mm. Miriam: want to go to the hospital today. Kate: It does it also kind of makes me want to watch Cobra Kai TV sh show that they made or I I Miriam: Yeah, yeah. Leslye: it made me want to watch that too. Yeah. Kate: I don't think I need to see any of the other movies that there's like several sequels, but I think Leslye: yeah. Kate: I would watch the show. I think it's supposed to be pretty good. Leslye: I heard it was good. Miriam: I have heard it was good. I also will say, I don't know if you guys have ever seen How I Met Your Mother, but there's this weird Neil Patrick Harris character side story where he's obsessed with Johnny in the Karate Kid, and he thinks that Daniel is the villain and Johnny is the good guy. it's a really funny bit on that show, but after watching this, I'm like, that's insane. Johnny, Johnny Leslye: That's insane. Yeah. Miriam: is savage, he's a terrible person. there's something too about these 80s movies that we've been watching. it's the Reagan era where they're so good at the class struggle. You know, it's so Kate: Mm-hmm. Miriam: interesting to see like Ali is played up as this like country club girl. And I'm sorry, but country club white people are the scariest in my opinion. Leslye: I mean again, she was the villain of the movie. Miriam: the scene where, Johnny's like groping her and her parents like, Yeah, he's great. We love him. That's when I was like, they probably had an abusive relationship, but and then they like he gets spaghetti spilled all over him. and I love when she goes on the date with Daniel and the car breaks down and his mother has driven Leslye: that was Miriam: him. The mother has driven him to the date too, which is amazing. Leslye: That was I thought of you guys because I was like, Did he bring his mom on the date? Because I would have done that. So and I did that. So, you know, but then the mom drove off and Miriam: His mom on the day. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. No. Leslye: I was like, okay, okay. Miriam: there's something so sweet about the Daniel character, I said before, like he just loves his mom and they're real like he could Leslye: So cute. Yeah. Miriam: have easily been like, I hate you, mom, but there was never that moment. He's more just like, We're in this together, I love you, mom. I really liked it So Leslye what's your final verdict? Are you gonna start taking karate? What's what's the word? Leslye: I think I'm too old to take karate now, but my verdict on this is A, I wish I'd seen it when I was younger. because I really do think I it would have been my whole personality. B, I'm glad we started this podcast because I really don't think I ever would have watched this movie and it was fantastic. Kate: Glad you like it. I think that means we can stay friends. Miriam: I'm so glad. We can stay friends. Leslye: I did think yeah. When when it ended and I had enjoyed it so much, I was like, I feel like Kate and Miriam are gonna be so happy. Like happy for me and also happy that they can stay friends with me. Miriam: Yeah. Like you knew when you were watching it, you're like, I like this movie. This movie is great. Leslye: yes. Yeah. I was like, there's no way they're re watching this movie and being like, God. Miriam: Yeah. Yeah, you knew it. You're like, Miriam's crying. Kate's Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: like, This is great. I like this. Leslye: Yeah. Miriam: Good. All right. We're still friends. Love it. Great Kate: Yeah. Leslye: Thanks for joining us this week on How Have You Not Seen This? I'm Leslye Miriam: Miriam. Kate: And I'm Kate. Leslye: Tell us what movie we should watch at howhaveyounotseenthis.com. You can subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok at H-H-Y-N-S T Pod. Tune in next time for another crime against cinema. And remember, friends are not friends unless they fight about movies. Miriam: So we also just like take up bonsai as a hobby? Maybe. Let's think about Leslye: Yeah, let's do that. Let's do it. Kate: No. Miriam: it. I could see myself doing that. Kate: Let's workshop that idea. Yeah. Leslye: I can't I can see Miriam definitely doing it. Kate: I the next time we go to Miriam's there's gonna like four bonsai trees Miriam: I yeah, yeah. Leslye: Or at least the the Lego Kate: next to her window. Yeah. Leslye: bonsai tree. Like yeah, there's a Lego. Miriam: Ooh, what? my gosh! Kate: I could get behind that. Okay. Leslye: I'm pretty positive. Miriam: Well I'm buying one immediately. Leslye: No, let me get it for you for Christmas. Or Ramadan. Kate: You know she's just gonna be texting us bonsai Miriam: So I don't remember. Kate: facts for the next like three months. Miriam: I loved it. I was