Best bets: 'Get Smart' comes to DVD Nov 3, 2008
Movies In JCVD, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays himself or at least a very comic version of himself. The down-on-his-luck action star, who cant find work, suffers from a drug problem and is losing custody of his daughter, gets stuck in the middle of a bank heist. (MSNBC -- Politics)
The stories behind a Tinseltown tell-all Nov 1, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme is getting raves for the upcoming film JCVD, which sends up his action-hero infallibility. In it, he makes a joke about losing a role to Steven Seagal because Seagal cut off his ponytail. (Globe and Mail)
Kylie Minogue may return to silver screen Oct 28, 2008
Cutting her teeth on Neighbours Minogue moved onto a role in The Delinquents and then in 1994 starred alongside B-Grade actor Jean-Claude Van Damme in Street Fighter. Since she has played parts in Moulin Rouge and Doctor Who which attracted a massive 13. (LIVENEWS.com.au)
Screen beckons - but not with Kathy Oct 28, 2008
After beginning her global career on Neighbours, she won no favours with film critics for her roles in the 1989 film The Delinquents or opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1994 film Street Fighter. By 2001 she was the perfect fit as an Absinthe Fairy in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge, and her appearance in a Dr Who Christmas special last year boosted viewer numbers in Britain to 13. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Backseat Dance Oct 17, 2008
It's got an Amish rave, a talking Jean-Claude Van Damme poster and a pudgy teen running maniacally through the cornfields while (a) nude and (b) handcuffed to a brass bed. What else can I say except that it must be seen, possibly more than once. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
So Bad, They're Good Oct 10, 2008
Ficks' latest quest is to rehabilitate the reputation of Jean-Claude Van Damme. The martial arts action star of the '80s and '90s has fallen out of favor, which automatically touches Ficks' heart. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
VIFF fires up for another great year Sep 25, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme returns in - surprise - one of the most talked about films coming out of Cannes. He plays himself - a washed-up, former action star - and he plays it well. (24 Hours Vancouver)
WRAP-UP: Festival finds bound for the USA Sep 15, 2008
JCVD. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars in Mabrouk El Mechri's brooding, French-language hostage film set in Van Damme's Belgian hometown. His sharply edged humorous role calls for him to stand outside his persona as the Muscles from Brussels and wax tragic about the traps of celebrity. (USA Today)
Five Fast Takes from Toronto Sep 15, 2008
With Jean-Claude Van Damme, Francois Damiens, Zinedine Soualem. From Belgium. (Time.com)
Rude Awakening In Houston 'Burb Sep 12, 2008
RUDE AWAKENING IN HOUSTON 'BURB - New York Post. Friday, September 12, 2008 Last Update: 10:05 AM EDT. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Surprises light up Toronto film fest Sep 11, 2008
It's the movies trying approaches both unfashionable and new that stick in the mind here - most notably "JCVD." Possibly the first ever meta-action flick - think Chuck Norris remixed by Charlie Kaufman - the film stars over-the-hill action star Jean-Claude Van Damme as an over-the-hill action-movie star named Jean-Claude Van Damme ... When Mickey Rourke and Jean-Claude van Damme give two of the best performances at the festival, you know the ground is shifting. (Boston Globe)
Bros, butts, more at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival Sep 10, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme, leadingman, in JCVD ... And not to be missed even though I thought it could have been a lot more awesome given its rich potential was JCVD, billed as the comeback movie for Jean-Claude Van Damme ... JCVD Jean-Claude Van Damme decided to star as himself in Belgian director Mabrouk El Mechri's deconstructive thriller (; la 1975's Dog Day Afternoon). (San Francisco Bay Guardian)
'Bangkok Dangerous' is stalled by inertia Sep 6, 2008
This feels very much like the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie that Mos Def and Jack Black would have remade with no budget in "Be Kind Rewind." But "Bangkok Dangerous" - in addition to demonstrating no interest in the art of storytelling, the art of suspense, or the art of art - has no charm. It's dismayingly comatose, a cynical exercise whose star can't even be roused to action. (Boston Globe)
Mayhem reigns in Toronto's "Midnight Madness" films Sep 6, 2008
Mayhem reigns at the Toronto film festival's "Midnight Madness" movies that kicked off, literally, with an early Friday morning screening of "JCVD" in which aging action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme pokes fun at his own career. The Toronto festival is one of the world's top movie gatherings and Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Tilda Swinton and even young Dakota Fanning will be in town walking up the glamorous red carpet at gala screenings. (Reuters)
Code of Honor 2: Conspiracy Island Review Aug 21, 2008
August 20, 2008 - Ah, the French Foreign Legion, a subject that doesn't get much play in American culture unless it is mentioned in an old Porky Pig cartoon or a bad Jean-Claude Van Damme movie. Now there's , a first-person shoo 00000BD6 ter that lets you play as part of the French Foreign Legion. (IGN PC Games)
Starz Entertainment's Weekly Hot Items List August 25-31 Aug 15, 2008
Friday, Aug. 29 -- 8 p.m. The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn) -- 9:50 p.m. Independence Day (Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum) Saturday, Aug. 30 -- 12:20 a.m. Waterworld (Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn) -- 2:40 a.m. Mad Max (Mel Gibson, Joanne Samuel, Hugh Keays-Byrne) -- 4:20 a.m. Repo Man (Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton, Tracey Walter) -- 6 a.m. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy) -- 8... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
He rode Dark Horse comics to fame, his way Aug 12, 2008
"The Mask" was No. 1 at the box office until it was edged out by "Time Cop," a sci-fi movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme that was based on another Dark Horse comic book written by Richardson. "After that, we had a lot easier time in Hollywood," Richardson said. (Boston Globe)
Van Damme after dark at Toronto International Film Festival Jul 25, 2008
Eric Gaillard/ReutersActor Jean-Claude Van Damme (L) and his wife Gladys arrive for the screening of "Un Conte de Noel" by French director Arnaud Desplechin at the 61st Cannes Film Festival May 16, 2008 ... Per tradition, Midnight Madness will showcase a lineup of "chillers, thrillers and 'shock-u-mentaries.' " The program (roundhouse) kicks off with JCVD, a comeback film in which Belgian action star Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as himself, suddenly expected to act tough when caught in the middle... (National Post)
Return of the hero Jul 6, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme Despite now being the king of direct to DVD action flicks, he really knew how to get stuff done in Universal Soldier and Timecop. Steven Seagal Remember when he was good in Under Siege. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Kentucky gets fried Jun 18, 2008
Last Updated: 08:31am 18 Jun 2008. 10 14 SPONSORED LINKS. (iAfrica.com)
Australia's Got Talent Jun 16, 2008
Tonight's acts include singing, dancing, piano-playing and, less typically, virtuoso skipping, a juggler bent on proving that a man can do three things at once and a tae kwon do troupe whose act host Grant Denyer accurately describes as "like Jean-Claude Van Damme - The Musical". It's fun, wildly unpredictable and the judges' comments are on the money. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Reality Check: Contestants Do Their Homework Jun 14, 2008
To her credit, she kept her clothes on and did a s 000023A7 pinning jump kick that could make Jean-Claude Van Damme jealous. But it was also the only impressive part of her entire solo. (Fox News)
Bearcats' Lucas, Elder pace All-Area Volleyball Team Jun 6, 2008
When Lucas was 7 years old, she appeared in a 10-minute segment on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" with actor Jean-Claude Van Damme. Lucas was there because as a 6-year-old, she became the youngest girl in the country to earn a black belt in karate. (Herald Online, SC -- Sports)
Black Eyed Peas' Taboo Plans To Kick Some Life Back Into 'Street Fighter' Franchise With 'Legend Of Chun-Li' Jun 5, 2008
And we'd all like to forget the 1994 action clunker "Street Fighter" that had Jean-Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue. delivering what felt like a finishing move on the franchise. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Jean-Claude Van Damme Hopes Autobiographical Turn In 'J.C.V.D.' Will Earn Him Some Respect May 29, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme (MTV News). As the star of some 30-plus martial arts films, Jean-Claude Van Damme has earned a place among the most kickass action heroes of the last 20 years, splitting and punching his way to many millions at the worldwide box office. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Is George Lucas Repeating Himself? May 23, 2008
"I know this is possible," says a writer named Duke, "since Jean-Claude Van Damme has done it. lf Van Damme can do it, Mr. Lucas, then Kirsten can, and much, much better.". Other letters range from gripes about Jar Jar Binks to complaints about commercialization. (Time.com)
Even Timecops bleed: the sad story of an action star May 21, 2008
"Jean-Claude Van Damme with no cash!" he cries in despair after a bank teller looks at him sympathetically but refuses to advance him $US650. "How's that?". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Winehouse's mum brands wedding "a joke" May 20, 2008
Noah Wyle, Heather Mills, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mischa Barton, and Gordon Ramsay and wife Tana. Soap Spoilers. (Digital Spy)
Pegg reveals awkward Gillian meeting May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19 2008, 09:40 BST. By , Entertainment Reporter. (Digital Spy)
Che sells out, while Turgoose causes a stir May 18, 2008
Revolver has acquired UK rights to Jean-Claude Van Damme project JCVD, a curious blend of fiction and reality that explores what happens when a movie star turns into an ordinary man. The Muscles From Brussels has been on the Croisette promoting JCVD in his customary fast-talking manner and clearly everybody wants to know: deals also closed with Koch Media in Germany, EEAP in CIS and of course Cineart in Belgium. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
The week's best films May 10, 2008
Then, up steps firefighter Jean-Claude Van Damme, an ordinary guy, to save his little girl, who is among the hostages ... Jean-Claude Van Damme knocks holes in the space-time continuum to investigate crooked senator Ron Silver. (Guardian Unlimited -- Arts)
Son of "Darko" May 10, 2008
It's a very different picture for Jean-Claude Van Damme. . (Variety)
As Putin Apprentice Takes Over, Russians Weigh An Enigma May 4, 2008
The stern former KGB man appears most enthusiastic on the ski slopes or when hobnobbing with jet-setters such as Prince Albert II of Monaco and movie stars like Jean-Claude Van Damme. Critics say he has enriched himself personally from Russia's energy wealth and may now be one of Europe's richest men _ a claim he has denied and which has never been supported with evidence. (CBS News -- World)
King of kung fu May 3, 2008
With his compact but wiry 5-foot, 9-inch frame, Jackie Chan seems to pale into insignificance when compared with muscle-bound Hollywood tough guys such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme. But combining extraordinary athleticism and an acrobatic style, Chan could probably take them both on in a fight and emerge victorious. (CNN -- International)
Congo's road map to modernity May 3, 2008
"Now I have a TV and DVDs," said Kalobo Boduin, the village chief, who is partial to the sagas of and Jean-Claude Van Damme. "I watch films every day.". (MSNBC -- International)
Hong Kong Kung-fu Stars Can't Be Stopped Apr 13, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme had about a decade's worth of wide releases. Arnold Schwarzenegger managed 20 years of action stardom, and he's considered the gold standard. (Time.com)
Bell Hit on Alfredsson Apr 6, 2008
If Mark Bell and the others who have sinned in the same vain consider themselves to be the next comings of Jean-Claude Van Damme maybe they ought to make a career change, because all they're doing now is dragging down what is, by actual definition, just a game. celebrity writers. (Suite101.com)
Ex-wife of Herbalife co-founder says she hired Hollywood PI Mar 29, 2008
LaPier, the ex-wife of actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, later became Hughes' wife. Hughes died of an overdose of alcohol and anti-depressant medication in May 2000. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Hollywood breaks out at a hockey game Mar 26, 2008
The 1995 movie "Sudden Death," starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, had a hockey scene with the roof opened even though the roof has always been closed for real hockey games. And "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh," featuring basketball star Julius Erving and Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon, was made there. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Jean-Claude Van Damme Re-Evaluates Career: 'I Will Never Do Another Movie I Would Not Like' Mar 4, 2008
Jean-Claude Van Damme Re-Evaluates Career: 'I Will Never Do Another Movie I Would Not Like ... Jean-Claude Van Damme (Francois Durand/Getty Images) ... Shed a tear if you're feeling charitable for Jean-Claude Van Damme. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Willoughby upset by cleavage complaints Feb 27, 2008
Joe Pasquale and Suzanne Shaw, Nicky Hilton, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Marion Cotillard, Paul Oakenfold, and Amy Winehouse. Soap Spoilers. (Digital Spy)
Street Fighter Movie Cast Officially Announced Feb 20, 2008
Few plot details have been released thus far, although we do know that the film has nothing to do with the woeful 1994 Street Fighter movie, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and Kylie Minogue. The pic is set to begin filming in March, while the next installment in the game franchise, Street Fighter IV, is released this summer. (IGN FilmForce)
Spears under constant watch Feb 20, 2008
Spears' bodyguards instructed to never leave her alone. SEARCH MOVIE LISTINGS: lect. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Kreuk, Duncan cruise 'Street' Feb 19, 2008
Project marks the second attempt at turning the "Street Fighter" game into a viable film franchise after Universal's 1994 version, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia. Plot of the new pic is being kept under wraps but will focus on the Chun-Li character. (Variety)
Fantasy flick go-to kid Freddie Highmore grows into mature roles Feb 12, 2008
-Double Impact (1991) and Maximum Risk (1996): Once is not enough for action star Jean-Claude Van Damme, apparently. He got his kicks in two twin outings. (USA Today)
Celebrity Influences on Plastic Surgery Jan 28, 2008
They were followed by action film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme and soccer great David Beckham. Nose - This category was led by Brad Pitt, followed by George Clooney. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Notebook: Female boxer breaking new ground in MMA Dec 28, 2007
The Canadian MMA star, who bares a resemblance to movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme, refuses to underestimate Hughes who he knocked out more than a year ago. I caught him with a kick to the head, St. Pierre said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Southland Tales Review Dec 3, 2007
Ironically, it's not Kelly's delicately-woven fabric of internal logic, but the Jean-Claude Van Damme movie Timecop that clarifies any of Southland Tales' developments, specifically that the same matter cannot exist in the same space at the same time. (Fear not. (IGN FilmForce)
Today In History - October 18, 2007 Oct 18, 2007
Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is 47. Actress Erin Moran is 47. (CBS2.com, CA)
Lange Returns to Penguins' Radio Sep 9, 2007
Lange played himself in the movie Sudden Death, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme. THe movie was filmed during the lockout that wiped out half of the 1994-95 NHL season. (Suite101.com)
Pop Arcade: Here's more must-see movies Sep 7, 2007
Well, just here and now, as I sat down to pen this column, I realized the missing straw that was absolutely necessary to stir this film's drink: Jean-Claude Van Damme ... No sooner does she decide that enough is enough and that she's ready to walk out on her job as a governess to try her hand at carpentry, than none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme enters the fray. (Pensacola News Journal)
Pop Arcade: Columnist reveals two more entries in must-see film list Aug 31, 2007
Frankly, my dear, modern audiences would "give a damn" about "Gone With the Wind" if "the Muscles from Brussels," Jean-Claude Van Damme, was digitally inserted into the film ... Two weeks ago, I told you "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" was severely lacking in the area of Jean-Claude Van Damme-ness, and that the film would have benefited from the karate-chopping Belgian. (Pensacola News Journal)
Television movies for the week of August 26 Aug 26, 2007
Jean-Claude Van Damme ... Jean-Claude Van Damme. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Pop Arcade: The only movies you truly need to see Aug 17, 2007
"Have some of this, Potter!" Jean-Claude Van Damme would exclaim while executing a 360 split kick of death, were he allowed anywhere near a "Harry Potter" film ... That's not a knock on the great Jean-Claude Van Damme. (Pensacola News Journal)
Spike TV Television Highlights - September 2007 Aug 7, 2007
Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Simon Yam and Philip Tan. -- TODAY YOU DIE (2005, Action/Crime) Telecasts Sunday, September 9 (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, ET/PT). (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Exclusive: Chuck Norris shares his favorite quotes from killer hits Aug 6, 2007
And during the past two decades, we've enjoyed the additional heroics of Pierce Brosnan, Dolph Lundgren, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, The Rock and Daniel Craig. Of course, no list would be complete today without also mentioning some favorite heroines like Barbara Carrera, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Yeoh, Famke Jansen, Uma Thurman, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, and Lucy Liu. (WorldNetDaily)
A killer 'Ultimatum' Aug 2, 2007
It s hard to think of an actor better suited to playing this stuff with a straight face and the streak of human feeling that Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jet Li, and Jason Statham are allergic to. Harrison Ford and Bruce Willis would feel remiss if they didn t wink. (Boston Globe -- Living)
Starz Entertainment Programming Highlights Aug 1, 2007
Independence Day 10/6 - (Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum) * Rush Hour 10/13 - (Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson) * Dawn of the Dead 10/20 - (Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer) * Universal Soldier 10/27 - (Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Ally Walker) Action Hero Movie Wars. Double Header every Friday night at 8 p.m. Who's the better Batman. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Breathing new life into action films Jul 27, 2007
"Also, the self-effacing sense of humor didn't work with all actors. Willis can usually pull it off, Schwarzenegger and Kurt Russell sometimes, Stallone not so much, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris never." ... Jean-Claude Van Damme. (Newsday -- Entertainment)
Pop Arcade: Great martial arts flicks don't star Chris Tucker Jun 22, 2007
"The Street Fighter" (1974): No, not the Jean-Claude Van Damme debacle of the same name. This mid-'70s treasure stars the pride of Japan (as far as I'm concerned), Sonny Chiba. (Pensacola News Journal)
Mr. Cool: Bruce Willis returning to Die Hard after 12 years Jun 14, 2007
(Just ask Willis' fellow 80s action heroes, Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme. And Willis miraculously managed to survive one commercial and critical blow after another, among them Blake Edwards' period-piece comedy Sunset (1988) and Robert Benton's inert adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's Billy Bathgate (1991). (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Bruce Willis' Playmate date May 18, 2007
" advertisement The beautiful model has previously dated Jean-Claude Van Damme and loves hooking up with Hollywood stars. She said: "I've gone out with some A-list celebrities. I met most of them at the Playboy Mansion. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Cuban missive crisis: Moore, ex-Sen. at war May 17, 2007
Witmer, who once dated Jean-Claude Van Damme, admits she's gone out with some "a- celebrities," most of whom she met at the Playboy Mansion (where she says even Hef asked her to "come upstairs."). If Willis doesn't work out, she'd like a crack at the Lakers' Luke Walton, or Owen Wilson - although "I heard he's a real dog." Still, "I love going out with celebrities. I'm always up for it.". (New York Daily News)
The next big hit May 16, 2007
There's the Dane, Mikkel Kessler, who bears a resemblance to Jean-Claude Van Damme, the actor. There's the buzzsaw from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao, whose appearances are nothing if not exciting. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Biel a Street Fighter? May 9, 2007
The new film will be pretty much unrelated to the 1994 silliness that starred Jean-Claude Van Damme, except for the common source material. Screenwriter Justin Marks has been hired to pen the script for the movie which will center around the game's prolific female fighter, Chun Li. (IGN FilmForce)
